High in the mountains of Victoria’s vast Alps, the ongoing impact of Desmond Freeman’s alleged shooting of two police officers looms large.
For heartbroken and weary locals, it’s been three very long weeks since conspiracy theorist and experienced bushman Freeman allegedly launched a deadly ambush on police.
Freeman is accused of fatally shooting Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart at Porepunkah before fleeing into the bush.
The tragedy has left the idyllic region, 300 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, deserted by its typical tourists.
Government grants to support businesses hit by the search for Freeman, 56, are worth a fraction of revenues lost to travel restrictions and tourist fears, operators say.
A number of businesses on its main street remain closed despite Victoria Police easing severe travel restrictions.
Many locals were fatigued from media attention and declined to be interviewed, but said they were grateful for news of $5000 grants from the Victorian government for impacted businesses.
In nearby Bright, Cherry Walk Cafe owner Leanne Boyd was likewise happy for the support, but said the grant would only amount to just over a tenth of lost revenue.
“Up until August 26 we were really busy, very busy,” she told AAP.
“We were actually having probably the best winter we’ve had for maybe six years.”
Bright is usually a tourist hub and a last stop for many snow seekers en route to Mount Hotham and Falls Creek snow resorts.
“The other problem is it’s going to take another two weeks for people to actually come back so then we’re into five or six weeks with no real income,” Ms Boyd said.
“It starts to hurt a lot.”
Over the weekend, police conducted the largest tactical operation in Australia’s history. It included emergency services volunteers and specialist tactical members from all states and New Zealand, who combed rugged tracks, caves and mineshafts but were unable to find Freeman.
Mount Buffalo National Park remains closed to the public and there is still a $1 million reward for information leading to Freeman’s arrest.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines spoke with Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on Monday and reaffirmed the force had licence to deploy any resource to bring a “significantly dangerous and armed offender to justice”.
“We’ve been very clear to the chief that anything he needs, he will have,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
The minister said the force was effectively managing the potential for fatigue among officers on the ground, but the task hadn’t been helped by the need for extra police at recent protests in Melbourne’s CBD.
“There’s no doubt this is hard work,” Mr Carbines said.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the search for Freeman must go on to give past and present officers “closure”.
“The community needs to know that the police are safe,” the former policeman said.
“An attack on Victoria Police is an attack on every single member of the community.”
The state Liberal leader backed the government’s $5000 grants but said the money would “barely touch the edges” for some businesses, including one that he said had lost more than $30,000.
Home searches by the Special Operations Command were causing tension among locals, a resident who asked not to be named told AAP.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Russell Barrett confirmed on Sunday hundreds of properties had been searched, “with and without warrant”.
“We’re incredibly conscious of the impact the operation has on local community, and we talk to them about that all the time,” Mr Barrett told reporters.
“We’re trying to find that balance, and it’s a really difficult balance to find.”
The search for Freeman continues.
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