MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper will host a roundtable discussion on Friday with key industry stakeholders about seasonal worker accommodation in Robinvale.
The meeting comes after the Victorian Government announced it would spend $744,000 to build new accommodation for up to 60 workers at Robinvale Backpackers.
“This was gratefully received, but the reality is we need to turn those 60 beds into at least 6000, with industry leaders in the table grape and citrus industries saying the shortage might be as high as 7000 beds,” Ms Cupper said.
It comes as Ms Cupper sought answers from Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas in Parliament on Tuesday on the government’s plans to help the region build its stock of seasonal worker accommodation.
“Sharp, rapid growth in horticultural productivity in the last decade has outpaced the development of suitable seasonal accommodation,” Ms Cupper said.
“This has led to farmers being short on workers, fruit being left on vines and overcrowding in substandard conditions.”
Ms Cupper said she has workshopped a proposal with Jeff Scott, from the Australian Table Grapes Association, about ways to expand the stock of worker accommodation in the region.
“This meeting I’m hosting in Robinvale on May 6 will finalise the advocacy strategy that I will be undertaking in partnership with industry to address the issue,” she said.
Ms Cupper said the multi-pronged proposal aims to ease the accommodation burden being thrust upon farmers in the area.
“Housing seasonal workers to a high standard that is efficient, safe, culturally sensitive and meets various visa requirements has become a full-time job in itself,” she said.
“It’s become increasingly difficult for blockies to keep up with the changing requirements, and the consensus seems to be that the best option is to focus on largescale seasonal worker facilities which are run by businesses that specialise in that field.
“The State Government can assist by providing seed funding to private entrepreneurs, community co-ops or peak industry bodies interested in getting into the game of building quality seasonal worker accommodation.
“At the end of the day, quality accommodation on a sufficient scale, will not only improve growers’ bottom lines, but will help to restore our region’s reputation as a region of choice for seasonal workers.”
Ms Cupper told Parliament that she sent a proposal that contained various ways the government could work in partnership with the private sector to increase the number of seasonal worker accommodation beds in our region.
Swan Hill Council Mayor Jade Benham said council wasn’t invited to the roundtable, but didn’t disagree with Ms Cupper’s sentiments.
“There is issues and planning regulations make it incredibly difficult,” Cr Benham said.
“Having said that, accommodation has not been an issue because we can’t get the workers during COVID-19 … the workforce is the first priority.”
