This small town is thriving but this business is considering closing shop
After nearly 30 years in business, Barb Moffat is considering closing the doors of his beloved bakery, as customers have stopped coming.
“We have no, or almost no customers because they can’t park,” Moffat said.
As COVID-19 restrictions ease in 2021, the main road in the central Queensland town of Gracemere returns to its normally busy highway.
But in September, business owners said people had stopped shopping there because it was too difficult to park due to roadworks.
“This is embarrassing… It’s just a nightmare,” said Moffat.
“Parents can’t come, mostly every day there will be accidents.
“We’ve suffered and suffered and I’m not the only one; FoodWorks, butchers, doctors, real estate … when will it stop?”
Construction is underway to upgrade Lawrie Road from two to four lanes, which is designed to reduce congestion and meet current and future traffic growth in Gracemere.
The $44 million project aims to make roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Work begins in September 2021 and Queensland Minister of Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the work would be completed by early 2023.
According to the 2021 census data, there are 12,379 people living in Gracemere.
That number is expected to grow significantly over the next 20 years, with the city projected to have around 22,800 residents by 2041, according to research by Capricorn Enterprise.
‘Empty shops and a beautiful street’
Several shops under Ms Moffat’s bakery are where the local doctor operates.
Owner and GP Joan Chamberlain said roadworks and the precarious parking situation put the elderly and the sick at risk.
“It’s quite dangerous, a lot of our elderly will not come again because of the difficulty of parking … and the number of accidents that happen here,” said Dr Chamberlain.
“It’s really very, very significant what happened, we don’t know how much longer we can stay open if our patients can’t come.
“I am deeply concerned that we may be the last people standing between us and that chemist.”
Dr Chamberlain said it was very sad to see the entire main street struggling with most shops facing closure due to lack of business in recent months.
“You really don’t have CBD, you end up with empty shops and beautiful streets.”
Beautician Julie Moyes also operates her clinic on the road and says she has seen a 30 per cent drop in customers since roadworks began.
“Gracemere is growing … but our business is not. It’s devastating,” Moyes said.
“We tell them our thoughts and what our concerns are and then we just get, ‘Well, we’re trying to work together’ and that bothers me because there’s no cooperation.
“Obviously the noise is a big impact for me… I have a client come in for a lovely luxury treatment and I have jackhammers going on up front.”
‘Short term pain for long term gain’
Mr Bailey said he felt for the business affected by the work, but this was a short-term issue for the long-term benefit of the entire Gracemere community.
“It’s always a bit of a challenge, people always want better roads, better infrastructure, but of course, there will always be some short-term impact,” he said.
“I certainly have sympathy and empathy for business owners.
“Getting $44 million worth of new infrastructure into Gracemere means the commercial area, and the exit via the roundabout past the pub, is going to be a lot better, especially during the busy morning rush hour.”
Mr Bailey noted the project officer had worked with as much of the business as possible throughout the process.
“We have agreed … for much better signage to let people know they are still open and where to go … we will be adding 10 additional car parks along John Street to compensate for some of the parking changes,” he says.
“We’re working with as many businesses as we can and I think the result of the upgrade when it’s finished in about six months, we’re going to see this become a much more attractive area, to attract customers to local businesses.”
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