Veldt Restaurant, Dubbo

How has the last 12 months affected the business?

The start of 2020 saw the nation emerge from the catastrophic combination of drought, bushfires, widespread flooding, and almost immediately face the COVID-19 global pandemic. Thankfully, Dubbo wasn’t affected by the bushfires - however, there was a large economic downturn in the area due to the drought that had started a few years prior.

The drought and water shortages spelled economic catastrophe for the town of Dubbo, as farmers left fields unplanted, sold off stock, tourist numbers dwindled and parks and gardens turned brown.

“The drought saw the cost of fresh produce skyrocket, which is a cost we had to bear,” explains Natalie.

“It really hurt the economy in Dubbo. For us, we saw the downturn of spending and eating out at a restaurant such as ours. It was seen as a luxury or very special occasion only.”

“Drive tourism through Dubbo really flattened out as well. People would not have dined with us if we had increased our prices by 30 to 40 per cent to reflect the cost of meat increases.”

Unfortunately, Brad and Natalie’s restaurant was not immune to the implications brought on by COVID-19. With the federal government's regulations on restaurants and non-essential gatherings put in place to curb the spread, the fine dining restaurant moved to offering takeaway.

"Brad went down to do food prep for Saturday night and found the cool room was warm and everything was non-salvageable," Natalie said.

"We couldn't afford to replace it all and we were only working to pay our suppliers the money we owed.”

"It was the last straw, we were no longer able to trade."

They had to stand down all six of their staff.

"I sent them an email and then called them and said 'we love you and bear with us' and that everyone's in the same boat," Natalie said.

Thankfully, with the help of the NSW government grant and JobKeeper – Brad and Natalie were able to reopen their business by doing takeaway, slowly working towards trading as a dine-in restaurant as the restrictions lifted.

“We have been very busy since July with everyone travelling within New South Wales and visiting the regional areas. Dubbo has begun to thrive for the first time in years!” Natalie says.

How are things today?

With the worst drought in history, followed by the biggest global pandemic since the 1919 Spanish Flu, which temporarily closed Taronga Western Plains Zoo to the public, some hospitality businesses in Dubbo were sadly lost. But thanks to government support and the determination of its owners, Veldt has weathered the storm. With the drought easing and lockdowns opening, drive tourism is returning and hope springs eternal.

“It has rained, farmers have had a crop for the first time in years,” says Natalie.

“COVID-19 thankfully didn’t have too much of a medical impact in Dubbo and the restrictions have eased allowing us to trade as a dine-in restaurant now.”

How you can help

“Tourism accounts for so much of the Dubbo economy. It’s the ‘Hub of the West’ – attracting people visiting the zoo and our local attractions, but it’s also a business and medical hub for all towns in North-West New South Wales.” Says Natalie.

“Being halfway between Melbourne and Brisbane, and at the crossroads from Sydney to Adelaide – Dubbo relies on drive tourism for a large majority of its visitation economy.”

Whether you are getting up close to creatures great and small at the award-winning Taronga Western Plains Zoo, savouring the sights, sounds and spectacular natural beauty of Lake Burrendong or the Macquarie River, Dubbo has a lot to offer as a driving destination.

“Eat in our restaurants, buy from our local stores. Love what Dubbo and the Central West have to offer.”

Natalie also encourages tourists to ‘Buy from the Bush’.

“It’s a wonderful initiative that showcases so many beautiful handcrafted products across regional Australian towns.”