Feds’ cash starts stimulating city

Alex de Vos and Jessica Benton
Geelong consumers might have started spending the Federal Government’s cash handouts to stimulate the national economy, according to traders.
Businesses across the city have reported an increase in sales since the payments started arriving in local accounts last week.
Retravision’s Trevor Elsworthy was “quite happy” with his sales after noticing an increase on trade compared to the same time last year.
“I think the stimulus package has had an effect and I think trading will continue to be strong,” he said.
Pokies venue operators also reported an increase in business since the Government bonuses began arriving.
The Peninsula Hotel’s Monique Michalowski said the venue was “definitely busier in the past two weeks”.
Buckley’s duty manager Paul Kelly reported a “steady” flow of pokies patrons leading up to Christmas.