Outback businesses blame Live Traffic NSW for customer downturn

Outback businesses are reporting a sharp decline in customers, blaming the Live Traffic NSW service for providing misleading information about road conditions. This has caused significant financial strain, particularly among small businesses reliant on tourism. Mia Degoumois, owner of the Packsaddle Roadhouse, noted that the Live Traffic NSW website and app often fail to update promptly, leading to confusion among travelers. Located 175 kilometers north of Broken Hill, her business has seen a notable drop in visitors, with her sales falling by approximately $200,000 over the past six months. She described the situation as frustrating, emphasizing that accurate information is crucial for attracting tourists to the region. The issue has intensified following months of heavy rainfall in remote areas of New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. Major roads such as the Silver City Highway, connecting Broken Hill to Tibooburra, have only recently fully reopened after being closed since March. However, Live Traffic NSW has not yet reflected these changes accurately. The system only provides two status options, open or closed, which leads to misrepresentation of roads that are accessible to four-wheel drive vehicles. These roads are incorrectly labeled as "closed," deterring potential travelers despite being safe for appropriate vehicles. Transport for NSW stated that roads are only marked as open when they are accessible to all vehicle types. A spokesperson emphasized that safety is the primary concern, noting that severe weather has caused substantial damage to roads across the far west. Despite ongoing efforts to repair infrastructure, some roads remain closed. The department continues to work on improving communication regarding road disruptions, acknowledging the challenges posed by the current conditions. Rebecca Young, owner of the Milparinka Hotel, has faced one of her toughest trading seasons. Her establishment, situated 125 kilometers north of Packsaddle, depends heavily on travelers using the Silver City Highway. This year, traffic has dropped by 80 to 90 percent, raising concerns about the future viability of her business. She expressed uncertainty about whether she will continue operating the hotel in six months, highlighting the dire impact of inconsistent road information on local economies. Similarly, Kathy Brown, who runs the Wanaaring Store and Caravan Park, has encountered numerous instances of traveler confusion due to inaccurate data. Located 230 kilometers east of Tibooburra, her business has received hundreds of calls from drivers misled by the Live Traffic NSW platform. Updates and emails from Transport NSW occasionally conflict with the electronic road condition signs, prompting travelers to alter their plans based on unreliable information. These experiences underscore the broader implications of inadequate road condition reporting in the outback. Small businesses, already vulnerable due to their remote locations, face additional challenges when critical information is delayed or misrepresented. As the region continues to recover from extreme weather conditions, there is growing pressure on authorities to enhance transparency and accuracy in real-time road updates. Businesses are calling for more reliable and timely information to help sustain tourism and support local economies.