Much as my business was not burnt, my livelihood is to make the money through the tourist months to see us through the quiet times. Being tourist towns this is how most survive. No tourists immediately means no breakdowns (vehicles, caravans etc) means no busy period to see us through the quiet.

As an retrenched employee from a popular seafood takeaway near Pambula, l am now seeking employment after beginning summer with the expectation of working 28-30 hours a week between December 25 and Easter.

The anxiety caused by the fires, extensive smoke and loss of income have been overwhelming. I am one of many people who find themselves in very uncertain circumstances and the stress is enormous!

I began the process of applying for government assistance, and found that l had to be directly affected (road closure of my access to the job or similar) and the documentation was ridiculous. In the end I didn't bother. It's extremely disheartening, and my faith in a supportive government is severely damaged.

Read also: Hope for change to bushfire package criteria

Merimbula is old, dated and extremely ugly, I'm talking about the main street. There is absolutely nothing that encourages you to stop for a while.

I live here, my children still live and work here, if things don't change it will not survive. I don't know the answer but I have no doubt that the ridiculous intersection has played a huge part. No matter how much it cost, it needs to go.

The landlords need to reduce the rents until, if, we recover. We need to beautify our town and it needs to be done yesterday. I'm scared for everyone, I don't want to have to leave this beautiful area but if things don't change and quickly we will not survive.

Look at Pambula, we need to do something similar. I don't have the expertise or experience to do anything myself but more than happy to join forces with others. We need a collective think tank, throw ideas around, get Andrew Constance to come. This really needs to be a top priority.

I also think that with Easter being our next tourism boost the empty shops need something in them, anything to brighten up the facade. I'm really happy to help in any way I can.

Short Point Cafe is located near Short Point Beach - it's a lovely cafe that is run by my family. Over the last couple of weeks there has been no help nor any consideration for our business due to these bushfires.

There are no people, which means no money - we're not the only business. My mother is struggling to keep the doors open.

We didn't ask for this and something needs to be done about it. We have no money coming in with no financial help. What kind of community is this?

I love how this article neglects to mention retail in Merimbula has been struggling for over a decade. Why don't we use charity money for other doomed businesses too? Charity wasn't meant to support already unsustainable businesses.

This was a national disaster - ignorant setting of perimeters regarding state assistance needs to change immediately! Banks should also be giving some leeway - to do anything else is unforgivable.

Read also: Dire straits in Merimbula

As a former business owner in Pambula I used to hang my hat on the summer trade. After visiting Pambula/Merimbula in the second week of January I was horrified at the lack of tourists in the area. My wife and I went for a swim at Pambula and were the only ones on the beach.

Had a coffee with our friend Katrina Wood from the Broken Oar and my wife teared up after we left, the caravan park was shut! That's 3000 people over 30 days gone in Pambula alone (do the math).

Because their businesses were not burnt does not mean they aren't affected. The $5000 is not enough it should be means tested and $10,000 minimum. All this money raised by kind-hearted Australians - send some to the business owners of Pambula/Merimbula as they are hurting, really badly.

Read also: How the fires have affected this business

Why don't the landlords drop their rents? The businesses in Merimbula are paying extremely high rents, which is plain greed.

The government should be working with the regional councils to reduce rates, to give the retailers some financial relief.

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We have been coming to Merimbula for 30 years and stay at the caravan park. I just despair at these governments. They make stupid decisions and spend our taxes. This money belongs to the people of this country so hand it over to the people who need it. Get country towns moving again. They are so short sighted it makes my blood boil.

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