WANGARATTA city traders owe more than $1 million in rent to landlords via just one real estate agent, with several at their last gasp of financial security.

They’re banking on step three restrictions to be activated under the State Government’s roadmap which Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated could happen as early as next week, simultaneously alongside the scheduled step 2 easing.

Mike Noble of Garry Nash and Co Real Estate said commercial businesses are being hit hard in Wangaratta and they were expecting to begin trading at full by the end of September.