We are all far too aware of the factors that have assisted in hampering the local economy over the past six months.
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To be fair they start with the drought, which had already been affecting the region's economy for a couple of years.
Grape growers were facing the prospect of severely low yields with no water for vines.
Then came the bushfires, playing havoc with grapes again and in turn severely reducing visitor numbers to region over January, with many venues reporting a drop of well over 30 per cent in revenue.
With bushfires subsiding into February and the thought of reliving rains potentially on the way around April, it was time to focus on the Orange Food Festival.
Finally, businesses would be able to look forward to a major cash injection.
Then that thought, along with the rest of the world's plans was brought to a grinding halt.
Now with the curve flattening, social distancing measures in place and a brave new world on the other side, its time for Orange to get smart.
There has been talk about the conversion of the Wine Festival into a longer event in order to make up for the loss of the Food Festival.
The concept appears to have its detractors though.
Some people are worried about Sydney visitors arriving in Orange and there suddenly being a COVID-19 spike.
Then there's the thought the event will be too long, nobody wants a month worth of festival, it's all too hard.
It's time for Orange to embrace that it's a destination for people from Australia, not just Sydney, to visit.
I urge committee members and event organisers to think outside the box, push forward. Go for the month-long festival, show the rest of Australia that Orange can open and be smart about it.
- David Collins
Why not have a month worth of events?
Allow visitors into our accommodation, shops, cellar doors, pubs. Does Orange not need the money?
Do not throw caution to the wind however, we can be smart about it, we can be safe. Practice the social distancing at all events and venues.
Be compliant, train your guests on what is expected, but still welcome them with open arms. I urge committee members and event organisers to think outside the box, push forward.
Go for the month-long festival, show the rest of Australia that Orange can open and be smart about it. Set aside personal differences and greed, push Orange forward. Both our business and community need it.
David Collins is the restaurant manager and sommelier at Charred, he has been studying wine and the wine industry for several years and will write a wine column for the CWD every second Saturday
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