WHEN 2020 ends there won't be many more delighted than the publican at Wahgunyah's only hotel.
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Christi Van Andel has seen thick bushfire smoke, the COVID lockdown, trading restrictions and border closures batter turnover at the Old Empire Hotel.
Just last week it appeared as though a coffin for the pub was arriving with Victoria moving to stop traffic flowing across the John Foord Bridge from Corowa as it shut off NSW borders.
"That would have been the end for us," Ms Van Andel said.
"This is the busiest time of the year and to have no trade over Christmas would not be a good thing."
"When the bridge is closed it's like the end of the world, that's what it feels like," Ms Van Andel said.
So the hotelier, in her words, "fought tooth and nail to keep it open".
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Ms Van Andel spoke to Indigo Shire chief executive Trevor Ierino who in turn urged police commanders, the Victorian cross border commissioner and health officials to leave the span open for motorists.
Mayor Jenny O'Connor said police at first planned to emulate the NSW approach.
"We wanted to keep it open and VicPol originally said it would be open to pedestrians and cyclists and we said that was not going to work, we need it open," Cr O'Connor said.
In addition to the pub, the general store-petrol station, post office and fish and chip shop suffered previously.
"We were able to draw on that experience and knew it was really not a good option," Cr O'Connor said.
Ms Van Andel, who has run the pub for four years and also had to cope with hundreds of holidaymakers no longer being able to use Corowa's nearby Ball Park caravan park, is glad the crossing situation has resolved and she has some police customers.
"They've been really friendly; they're having coffees and been coming for meals," she said.
"It's not their fault, there was just no communication."
Ms Van Andel estimates her trade has dropped 40 per cent for the year, with the Empire opening only two days a week when NSW blocked traffic.
Before the caravan park closure and smoke woes, summer would mean 20 kegs of beer being consumed, now there are 11.
"Everybody is just over this and hopefully things will go back to normal and restrictions go but I think it's going to take years to rebuild, especially in the border towns," Ms Van Andel said.
Cr O'Connor said she would like border checkpoints removed as soon as possible, but she suspects they will not disappear shortly.
"Things in NSW could go either way, but if they continue to go the way they're going I don't expect anything to loosen anytime soon," she said.
In brighter news, the shire's tourism magnet, Beechworth, is throbbing after a downbeat year with Melbourne visitors unable to come for months due to its COVID calamity.
"The town is full, restaurants are booked out, pubs are booked and retailers are reporting great sales," Cr O'Connor, a Beechworth resident, said.
She added there was already evidence that a tree change movement from the capital was unfolding with property sales up and rental accommodation limited.
Balancing growth with amenity would be a key challenge, Cr O'Connor said.
