'Dead quiet' shops struggle after bridge's failure closes highway

Jacqui Harman watches the rolling hills of her Central Tablelands farm stay, her garden wilting from neglect. "The spare money to do the little things like plant the pretties, it's just not there, I can't justify it," she said.

“

The spare money to do the little things like plant the pretties, it's just not there, I can't justify it.

Normally, Kenzell Farm would be bustling with Sydney tourists who would spend money in Oberon, visit local attractions like Jenolan Caves, and learn about the region's food and fibre. But multiple road failures have drastically reduced visitor numbers. Jenolan Caves Road, near the world's oldest open cave system, has been repeatedly closed since 2019 due to bushfires and flood-related slope collapses. The final blow came in March when a bridge failure shut a section of the Great Western Highway.

“

People would ring and say, 'Sorry, we just didn't think we could get there.'

Ms. Harman's farm stay has seen visitor numbers plummet by 90%. "Within two weeks I'd had nine cancellations for weekend bookings and next to no people coming up and wanting to do tours," she said. "People would ring and say, 'Sorry, we just didn't think we could get there.'" The detour, which used to take 80 minutes from Katoomba, now takes at least two hours. Unable to pay her bills, Ms. Harman has returned to casual teaching, admitting, "I'm terrified about the next six months." She feels the impact is through no fault of her own. A $10,000 state government grant offered little solace, described as "too little too late."

“

I'm terrified about the next six months.

In Oberon, about 20 kilometers away, Nicky Holbrook's Garden of Wire shop is also struggling. Four months ago, the main street was busy with tourists; now, she says, it resembles a "ghost town" on weekends. "Since Victoria Pass shut that part of it just died off completely. I don't sell pieces very much at all now," Ms. Holbrook stated, calling the situation "a bit of a money pit." Like many in the region, she has had to adapt by finding new ways to generate income. Ms. Harman remains hopeful that the scheduled reopening of Jenolan Caves Road in early 2027 will provide a much-needed lifeline for her business.

“

Since Victoria Pass shut that part of it just died off completely. I don't sell pieces very much at all now.