R E G I O N A L FOCUS KIERAN OHARA, BUSINESS DIRECTOR AT PALMERS RELOCATIONS Around 16,000 people moved out of Victoria and into Queensland because of lockdown. There was a massive exodus PAUL MCCLUSKEY, MD OF QUEENSLAND-BASED OVERSEAS PACKERS AND SHIPPERS firms, intent on restricting and controlling supply. Not only that, but Amazon has muscled in getting their finger in our pie. Two years ago, the shopping giant was shortlisted for a US military removals contract. As COVID struck, Stephen Bonollo, General Manager at Grace International, watched in dismay as moves were cancelled; enquiries dropped off and goods went into storage. Everyone went down to a four-day week, but we needed to keep staff if demand increased. At least Grace could lean on its thriving records (storage) business, 90 per cent of which comes from the government. Despite everything, Grace managed more interstate moves in 2020-21, transporting goods by rail the firm owns 4,400 containers and leases many more. Around 16,000 people moved out of Victoria and into Queensland because of lockdown, he says. There was a massive exodus. The Queensland-based headquarters of Overseas Packers and Shippers PRICES ADD TO THE BURDEN Bonollos company navigated COVID quarantine pretty well, yet soaring petrol and energy prices remain a burden. Demand for Graces services is managed by not taking bookings (and committing to a price) too far ahead. Business was brisk in Qs 1 and 2 this year; Q3 (Australias winter) traditionally slow, but Bonollo was expecting a Q4 bounceback. However, he says the outlook is blighted by profiteering shipping lines prices for groupage and storage containers has shot up 100-150 per cent. Some prevent movers from booking ahead, raising charges because they can. This fraught situation has led to a shortage of export coordinators. People left in droves because of the time it takes to get anything done. The demand is now just crazy recently we had a 23-year-old asking for US$80,000 a year. Despite everything, Bonollo remains optimistic. We picked up more corporate work last year than in the previous three; weve been successful in the university sector, bringing in people; and had success with full relocations. Australia and New Zealand have both endured significant COVID restrictions 48 FF307 September-November 22 pp46-53 Regional Focus.indd 48 Some firms bounced back at surprising speed. Paul McCluskey, MD of Queensland-based Overseas Packers and Shippers, says things began reviving after July 2020. Around 95 per cent of its trade is international, much of it inbound from the UK and New Zealand. This year is probably the best weve had since 2008-09, with a huge number of expats returning, says McCluskey. A lot of people see Queensland as the place to be. Working from home spurred the housing market people can buy a lot more here than in the southern states. The trend for smaller shipments continues, however, driven by the disposable attitude of younger people and ubiquitous increase in freight rates. One legacy of COVID, McCluskey says, is a more realistic attitude among clients about the rising costs that removal companies must bear and pass on. I think the outlook is quite promising. Australia is attractive even if it is expensive, and I see inbound migration continuing long term. Paul Leaf-Milham, Associate Director at Chess Moving, Adelaide, believes the relocation industry has fared unexpectedly well through the pandemic, helped by the governments Job Keeper scheme. Our biggest challenge was retaining consistent staff levels towards the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021, he says. Chesss broad business base helped it keep going being government-approved for domestic and international business provided a good stream of work. Other niches include mobile self-storage, commercial and domestic storage, hotel fit-outs and library relocations. All this ensured our business has remained profitable, with steady volumes allowing us to retain staff, says Leaf-Milham. WW W. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 06/09/2022 07:42