Sugar cane capital looks to travellers to ease worker shortage
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Sugar cane growers in the north Queensland Burdekin region are hoping travellers will help ease a serious shortage of workers during this year’s harvest.
Burdekin Shire Council is working with local grower organisations to encourage travelling workers to help with this year’s harvest and crushing season.
Domestic and international travellers have long had a big role as farm workers, but numbers fell dramatically during the pandemic, leading to a nationwide shortage.
Burdekin Shire Council Mayor, Lyn McLaughlin, said harvester operators and haul-out truck drivers are in very short supply, and a late start to the harvest means there’s work for at least another four months.
“The Burdekin’s 2022 sugar cane crushing season will not finish until at least 31 December, meaning there is still a lot of money to be made for those willing to put in the work.
“Farmers and contractors are still on the hunt for permanent workers to fill roles such as farmhands, as well as seasonal workers for positions as harvester operators and haul-out truck drivers.”
Councillor Max Musumeci, himself a cane grower, said he has been called out to fill empty positions.
“The fact that I’ve personally been called several times already this season to jump in a truck or transporter demonstrates that there is definitely a shortage of workers, but definitely not a shortage of employment opportunities across our Shire.
“From carpenters to mechanics, boilermakers to engineers, drivers to chefs, employment opportunities in the Burdekin are as bountiful as our lifestyle.
“Whether you are looking for a permanent new home or just a few months’ work, there are a range of both permanent and seasonal roles now available.”
About 18,000 people live in Burdekin Shire’s 5,000 square kilometres. The Council describes it as Australia’s sugar cane capital, but other agricultural and horticultural industries have grown there due to its abundant water supply.
Councillor Musumeci said the mild Burdekin climate makes it an attractive place to work.
“We average 300 days of sunshine a year, making days pleasant and nights cool and crisp.
“There is no place more unique to work, with the Burdekin the only region in Australia that still burns a majority of its cane prior to harvesting.”
