MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper will host a roundtable discussion next week with key industry stakeholders about seasonal worker accommodation in Sunraysia and Robinvale.
The meetup comes fresh off a back of an announcement by the Victorian Government, which will spend $744,000 to build new accommodation for up to 60 workers.
“This is welcome news, but our industry stakeholders tell me the need is far greater than this, and this roundtable discussion will be about transforming those 60 beds into 6,000,” Ms Cupper said.
“Months ago, I began workshopping a proposal with Jeff Scott from the Australian Table Grapes Association about ways to expand our stock of worker accommodation in Sunraysia and the Murray Valley.
“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.”
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 fulltime 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.”

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