Chair of Destination Kiama’s Advisory Committee, Councillor Matt Brown is encouraging locals to take up the slack and help small businesses through this abnormal summer.

“A lot of people who have come down from Sydney have gone home and it doesn’t look like they are coming back.

“We haven’t been directly affected by the fires, but people are still staying away.

“We need to get the message out there that Kiama and Gerringong are still open for business.”

He says he will be talking to the Advisory Committee and the Tourism Manager to see how they can help with some promotion.

With family and friends being one of the biggest tourism segments in our area, he is calling upon locals to encourage people to come and stay, and patronise local businesses themselves.

“There is no need to cross the Minnamurra River.

“We’ve got everything you need here, and you’ll help provide the boost businesses need to go through the quieter mid-year period.”