Great Aussie Bush Camp co-owner Brad Love wants to know why pubs, clubs, restaurants and brothels are allowed to open but his school camp business is forced to remain closed at a cost of $50,000 a month.
Mr Love's camps at Tea Gardens and Kincumber, which host about 45,000 school students a year, have been closed since March 13.
The Herald's opinion: Businesses need support but reopening is a public health decision, not an economic one
The business has been forced to lay off 80 staff, including 60 in the 19 to 25 age group. Another 23 are on JobKeeper.
Then there is the flow on effect - the business spends about $100,000 a year at the Bulahdelah butcher and schools spend tens of thousands of dollars with local coach operators.
Mr Love, who co-owns the business with his wife Sarah and Simone and Brad Higgins, was making tentative plans to reopen in Term 3 before the Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged schools to avoid extra curricular school activities following the outbreak of a COVID-19 cluster at the Tangara School for Girls in Sydney.
A return to business before the end of the year is now looking unlikely.
"The best case scenario is we can reopen in Term 4 and the worst case is we will have to stay closed until there is a vaccine available," he said.
Mr Love questioned why the hospitality and sex industries were allowed to operate, albeit with COVID-Safe restrictions in place.
"We are the only industry to remain completely shut down," he said.
"We are just really disappointed about the lack of consultation and respect shown to our industry.
"The liquor industry was allowed to reopen but we have seen how social distancing goes out the window when people are intoxicated."
Outdoors NSW & ACT, Australian Camps Association and the Christian Venues Association have joined forces to request special consideration be given to the industry, which is worth $7.6billion a year.
"Collectively we call for a responsible return to outdoor education and to remember the benefits of outdoor activities that are in great need at this time. Alarming numbers in suicide, mental illness, and other health issues are on the increase and there is no better time to act than now," the groups said in a Facebook statement.
"Premier Gladys Berejiklian warns camps and excursions are a pandemic no-go"
"This seems to be an over-reach that defies logic, evidence and stated government policy intent. It is one thing to ban unregulated overnight house parties, but another thing to shut a highly regulated, risk-conscious industry that delivers indisputable benefits to our young people, our society and to our economy."
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has written to Premier Gladys Berejiklian asking how the government is supporting businesses such as Mr Loves during the pandemic.
"Regional communities rely on small businesses for local jobs and a thriving economy. With such a large local employer no-longer operating in such a small community, the impact is being felt deeply," she said.
A government spokesman told the Newcastle Herald: "Every step the NSW Government takes is based on the best health advice to protect the people of NSW."
"We understand businesses are struggling, which is why the NSW Government has committed more financial support during this pandemic than any other state.
"To date, the NSW Government has invested more than $15 billion in COVID-19 response and support measures including economic assistance packages and grants."
Business owners and operators can contact Service NSW 24/7 to find out what support is available to them and staff will help them source the right relief on 13 77 88 or by visiting https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
An inner city selective school Sydney Girls High School will be closed on Monday and a trial HSC exam postponed after a student tested positive for coronavirus.
The Tangara School for Girls cluster now includes 25 cases, while Sydney Girls confirmed it learned of a new case in one of its students .
It said a trial HSC examination scheduled for Monday would be rescheduled.
