The coffee machine is whirring and crockery clinking as customers take a seat at Goulburn's Park Cafe.
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Owner/manager Lazaros (Laz) Foinikopoulos is enjoying the sight as he buzzes about the Auburn Street business.
It's a far cry from the scene in March. Like so many other eateries, coronavirus restrictions forced take-away sales only.
"Our business dropped 50 per cent and we had to stand down two staff," Mr Foinikopoulos said.
"If it wasn't for JobKeeper, we would have closed; it really helped. We're nearly back to normal but the travellers have stopped and that has impacted."
An economic analysis of COVID-19's impact in Goulburn Mulwaree forecasts that the accommodation and food services sector will be hardest hit in the June quarter.
The document by .id - the Population Experts, supplied to the council, estimated a $22 million drop in income for the sector, compared to the same quarter in 2018/19. It would mean a $10m decrease in wages and salaries for workers and 310 fewer employees, excluding those on JobKeeper.
The firm also forecast an $8 million drop in income for 'professional, scientific and technical services' for the period and 98 fewer jobs.
The construction industry ranked third with 97 less jobs and a $10m hit to sales, or output.
But it's not all doom and gloom. The authors forecast a -9.3 per cent decline in overall gross regional product, or the council area's net wealth. This compares to -13.6pc for NSW.
They also estimate a six per cent fall in local jobs, equating to 806 positions. It is -10.4pc when JobKeeper is added. The forecast across NSW is 14pc.
"The impact of COVID-19 will vary from region to region and will depend on supply chain and trade exposure (both local and international), reliance on tourism and exposure to consumer demand," the authors stated.
The firm estimated the health care and social assistance and information media and telecommunications sectors would be least affected by coronavirus and would show improvement.
The analysis was based on information available on May 7 and assumed rigid social distancing would be maintained into June. It also warned that the forecasts were subject to a "high degree of uncertainty."
A council spokesman said the demographics statistics firm's work was not so much a study as an economic management tool, comparing councils across Australia.
He believed Goulburn Mulwaree was dealing well with the downturn and compared well to other regions.
"Accommodation, hospitality and food services have been the hardest hit industry, however we have seen great signs in the past two months as reopening has occurred," he said in a statement.
"Our business community is resilient and we believe well supported by all levels of government. Construction projects such as the Performing Arts Centre, Goulburn Hospital and Aquatic Centre redevelopment are great for our region and send a clear message of confidence."
In addition, the planning department had received more applications for new dwellings in the past six months than ever before, the spokesman said.
The council argues the population will grow and that it is fortunate not to be as reliant on the tourism sector as other regions. Councillors will consider the housing strategy at their meeting on Tuesday.
The organisation is also talking to state and federal governments about stimulus measures. As part of this it is spruiking "shovel ready" projects such as the final 8km of the Wollodilly Riverwalk, the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail and rural road and bridge improvements.
"Projects like the Goulburn Reuse Scheme and the Aquatic Centre redevelopment will get underway soon and these will support significant numbers of local jobs," the spokesman said.
"We also continue to plan for the future and are working hard on other projects like the regional hockey facility."
Meantime, Mr Foinikopoulos was hoping for brighter days ahead following bushfires and coronavirus.
"Recovery will take a long time and if it doesn't go back to normal, we'll have big problems. It's scary," he said.
"(But) we're hoping for the best."
The full .id analysis can be accessed here.
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