Residents in the towns near where Dezi Freeman fatally shot two police officers are living in anxiety – not due to the gunman himself – but because of the repercussions his actions have had on their economy. 

Local business owners informed the Daily Mail that they’ve been losing revenue since authorities advised travelers to steer clear of the scenic towns of Porepunkah and Bright, even though the nearby skiing conditions are ideal.

Victoria Police removed the travel advisory on Sunday, nearly three weeks after it was issued, but business operators worry about lasting damage to their finances, as travelers remain wary due to the gunman’s continued evasion.

Bright often attracts as many as 5,000 visitors during weekends, yet hotel bookings have been almost nonexistent since the search in Victoria’s High Country commenced on August 26.

A local hotel owner shared that they recently lost an annual group reservation valued at $7,000 for the AFL Grand Final long weekend, with the client canceling because of ‘the shooting’.

Leanne Boyd, proprietor of Bright’s Cherry Walk Cafe, reported a loss of at least $22,000 in sales since the shootings on August 26, as tourists are avoiding the area out of fear of Freeman, whom the police have labeled ‘armed and dangerous’.

She described Bright as ‘a town on the brink’. 

Ms Boyd insisted the public was not at risk. 

Leanne Boyd has described the tourist mecca of Bright as a ‘town on the brink’

‘Dezi is not a danger to the community. To the police, maybe, but not normal people,’ she said, adding that she did not condone Freeman’s actions.

Ms Boyd begged the Victorian Government to provide financial assistance to business owners doing it tough.

After growing up on a rural property and seeing the mental health impact financial stress has had on farmers, she told Daily Mail she fears suicides may occur among desperate business owners.

‘One of the local camping supplies stores here only made $15 yesterday,’ she said on Wednesday.

‘My question to (Victorian) Premier Jacinta Allan and her government is when are we going to get an economy package, because we cannot afford to pay our staff… there is no sign of this man who ran off into the bush, so when is it going to end?’

It is understood official correspondence to the Allan Government pleading for financial assistance has so far gone unanswered.

Bright Chamber of Commerce president Marcus Warner said there was no framework for a financial package because the economic downturn couldn’t be attributed to a disaster or emergency such as a bushfire, flood or pandemic. 

Tactical police officers have been a fixture in the high country after the shooting rampage

Ms Boyd is calling on the Victorian Government to help struggling businesses

Dezi Freeman remains at large after shooting dead two police officers and wounding a third on August 26

He said as the manhunt dragged on, businesses are ‘looking at about 80 per cent in losses across the board’.

He explained that even though around 400 police – along with packs of national media – have converged on the region, it’s nowhere near the usual foot traffic.

‘We are seeing a significant police presence in the area, and while we may bump into them in coffee shops – some locals are even buying them a coffee – they are getting their own catering and operational support at their command centre in Ovens,’ he explained. 

‘So that isn’t going to keep the lights on.’

Daily Mail understands a large contingent of officers are staying in Myrtleford, a 30-minute drive from Bright and Porepunkah. 

Mr Warner said some hotels are experiencing 100 per cent cancellations, coffee shops and small businesses are reporting 60 per cent downturns, and, heartbreakingly, ‘hundreds of casual staff have had to be let go’. 

His own business, local produce outlet Pepo Farms – near the police command centre in Ovens – ‘usually does several thousands of dollars of income on weekends’.

Last weekend, Pepo Farms took less than $300 and was forced to close early. 

Bright Chamber of Commerce president Marcus Warner said business is down 80 per cent

Police have asked tourists to avoid the area between Myrtleford and Mt Hotham along the Great Alpine Highway, meaning the towns of Porepunkah and Bright are being bypassed

In several press conferences, police have urged travellers to take alternate routes to the Falls Creek and Mount Hotham ski fields, instructing them to take the longer route past Mt Beauty – therefore bypassing Porepunkah and Bright.

‘Normally those people are coming through town and we get a huge part of that trade,’ Ms Boyd said.

‘So they don’t come here, they don’t get coffee, stay here, or hire their ski chains here.’

Ms Boyd said she’s had to cut staff shifts to make up for the lower spending. 

‘The staff are anxious. I don’t think they’re afraid of Dezi coming into town and harming them… That’s not what it is. It’s more the uncertainty of… “When do I get paid?”‘

Daily Mail can reveal that on Thursday, Mr Warner met with Victoria Police, along with local government representatives and the area’s Federal MP Helen Haines to discuss the financial crisis facing local businesses as the hunt for Freeman drags on.

Locals are begging for police to change the messaging about avoiding the area – which, we understand, they are open to.

‘The message is to be alert but not alarmed, and the police are not deviating from their search or from the area,’ Mr Warner revealed.  

Bright businesses haven’t been able to capitalise on perfect ski conditions nearby

Police have focused search efforts in and around Mt Buffalo National Park

Locals are grateful for police in the region, but say it’s not enough to keep businesses afloat

Police confirmed there have been no sightings of Freeman, 56, since he vanished on foot into the rugged Alpine terrain on August 26.

Since then, the area has been lashed with blizzards, rain and freezing temperatures. 

Near constant aerial searches – including using thermal technology – along with Special Operations officers scouring the Mount Buffalo National Park and local residences, has failed to turn up any sighting of Freeman.

Locals are divided over theories he is hiding in a cave or an abandoned mine shaft, has fled the area, or has died.

Mr Warner said there were already plans in the works to relaunch the region to tourists once the Freeman situation is resolved.