Premier Daniel Andrews pledged to make the Friday before the AFL grand final a statewide public holiday from 2015, but business groups across the state are saying it would increase costs for business — many of which are already struggling. 

Warrnambool Traders Action Group spokeswoman Amanda Lowen said while the extra holiday would create a long weekend, which could bring extra tourists to the region, it could have a double cost impact.

“If you look around on the afternoon of the AFL grand final, it is like a ghost town,” Mrs Lowan said. 

“That means there is considerably less money being spent for half a day, putting pressure on some businesses’ bottom lines.

“Adding penalty rates the day before will only add extra financial stress for these businesses.” 

A petition is circulating on activism website change.org.au and business groups and chambers of commerce across the state are encouraging people to add their signature. It was started on December 4 and on Wednesday afternoon had attracted almost 400 supporters.

Mrs Lowan said some businesses choose not to open on the public holiday or cut back on staffing to help ease the burden.

“That doesn’t assist our local community to thrive,” Mrs Lowan said. “Whether a new public holiday helps to change the foot traffic and spending in Warrnambool remains to be seen.”

Commerce Warrnambool president Tony Herbert declined to comment, instead directing questions to the Warrnambool Traders Action Group. 

This year Victoria had 11 gazetted public holidays. Under the government’s plan there would be 13 public holidays next year due to Boxing Day being declared a holiday on both Saturday, December 26, and Monday, December 28. 

Warrnambool City Council tourism services manager Peter Abbott also said he had doubts the holiday would generate enough extra bookings for tourism operators to cover the cost of penalty rates. 

“The AFL grand final is an event where people tend to stay local and go to parties with friends. I doubt people would travel,” he said. 

“I’d say the government need to have a close look at the costs to business to determine if another holiday would be worth it.”