The state government's initiatives to support business affected by the five-day circuit-breaker lockdown earlier in the month have received mixed responses.
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Businesses will be eligible for grants of up to $4500 through three different initiatives.
Greater Ararat Business Network president and Ararat RSL general manager Maria Whitford said the funds would change little for many businesses.
"It's not enough, but it's better than zero," she said.
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"For really small businesses it may help a little bit more, but for bigger businesses, it won't even scratch the surface."
Ms Whitford said the cost of the lockdown was still ongoing.
"It's not just the five days because it damages consumer confidence going forwards," she said.
"People don't know when it's going to happen again, so people have less confidence to make bookings."
Barney's Bar and Bistro and Gang Gang Villas owner Colin Macaffer said he had witnessed this decline, particularly with people booking accommodation.
"We're now getting our bookings about a week ahead, and the other ones always are 'to be confirmed' for four weeks or six weeks ahead," he said.
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"So it is very difficult to know what will be happening."
Accommodation providers will be eligible for $2250 or $4500 depending on whether they had more than ten bookings to cancel during the lockdown.
The Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund will give previous recipients of the grant an automatic one-off $3,000 per premises payment.
Coolas Ice Creamery manager Claire Smith said this would not cover the losses the Halls Gap business had experienced over the five days, but will still be useful.
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"We were open but it was very, very quiet," she said.
"You're never going to make up for what you've lost; it's just going to help cover the costs.
"I don't think covering the full cost of businesses being closed for five days is achievable for them."
The Business Costs Assistance Program will offer $2000 for eligible employing and non-employing businesses in the hospitality, food wholesaling, tourism, events and selected retail industries with an annual payroll of under $3 million.
Kaye Poyner of Kaye Poyner Beauty Therapy in Ararat said while the grant was not much, but it would help.
"It's not going to cover the losses, but anything is a bonus," she said.
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