Bright Brewery, Dal Zotto and North East Tourism on alpine housing and staff shortage

Bright Brewery operations manager Rupert Shaw told a Victorian inquiry into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, that the region had been overwhelmed by tourists but businesses were struggling to hire staff to cope with demand as there was nowhere for them to live.

"Melbourne restrictions released and we have been overwhelmed from that day onward, we've been about 20 per cent above our busiest year," he said. "January was our biggest month ever."

Mr Shaw said staff shortages meant many businesses were unable to make the most of the potential income.

"There's two big venues in town only open three days a week because they can't get the hours," he said.

"Once staff are working 45 to 50 hours a week they burn out quickly, so with no end in sight they've just taken the decision to shut. Which makes sense until your the only venue in town on Tuesday or Wednesday which means we just get overwhelmed.

"We have closed off sections of seating when we don't have enough people because queues get too big and we just can't service them to the standard we want to."

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Mr Shaw said there were very few long-term rentals in Bright, and most houses being constructed were not affordable. He said many Bright houses were used as Airbnbs, weekend homes or being snapped up by retirees and Melburnians.

"We're not building small two-bedroom units that people who work here can afford to buy or rent," he said.

Tourism North East chief executive Bess Nolan-Cook said businesses across the Alpine region were struggling to attract staff because of the lack of housing.

"The challenge we have at the moment is there is nowhere to live, there's very little housing stock, very little long term rentals, if any, in particular places," she said.

Michael Dal Zotto, who owns Dal Zotto Wines in Whitfield, said longer-term rentals had "disappeared" in favour of Airbnbs.

He said his staff were having to commute from Wangaratta which wears thin and can lead to turnover.

"The visitors coming up are eager to spend... that's why that staffing issue is critical," he said. "You can only take in as many people as you can serve."

Ms Nolan-Cook said a creative solution was needed.

Mr Dal Zotto suggested some of the old tobacco fields could be bought and carved into lots. Mr Shaw said landlords could be subsidised for taking on long-term rentals and tiny-house living could be explored.

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