Rowan Anderson

Journalist

Without a workforce the Douglas Shire stops.

It is this message that drives the ‘Adopt a Worker’ initiative with the aim of helping businesses find and keep employees while also finding accommodation for that workforce.

Adopt A Worker is being championed by Tourism Port Douglas Daintree in conjunction with Douglas Chamber of Commerce and Douglas Shire Council.

In the midst of the current rental crisis that is crippling the opportunities for workers to contribute to the local economy and get it back on its feet following lockdowns and the pandemic ‘Adopt a Worker’ could not have come at a better time.

A call out made

By providing living arrangements for seasonal workers, businesses will be able to operate with full teams, and provide the services our warm community is known for as Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO Tara Bennet told Newsport.

“We’re calling on our residents and good citizens to help your community out.

“This is a call out to all Douglas Shire locals to adopt a worker for the busy season, and house a hospitality and tourism worker to ease the challenges of the rental crisis and lack of local available accommodation.

Demand is high as standard set for other Councils

“Demand for rooms far outweighs supply so we need to unearth more capacity. Staff are after rooms, granny flats, standalone houses or units. Even this week I know of four people personally who had jobs, having to leave the region and the jobs they’ve been trained in as they don’t have anywhere to live.

“We know there are a lot of government limitations around planning, taxable income and access. The problem is so great around Australia we hope the Douglas region will be seen as a case study to address the current restrictions and free up capacity in the medium term. “

“The program has been very well received locally from business seeking staff accommodation to the community looking to assist. It’s also attracted a lot of attention Australia wide from Councils and government departments grappling with the same shortage.”

Local businesses and organisations step up

Wildlife Habitat is one such organisation who has successfully placed a couple of staff members through the initiative.

“Wildlife Habitat were one of the first to sign up to the program and have successfully sourced accommodation for two of their staff,” Ms Bennett said.

Wildlife Habitat Assistant Manager, Sybella Slater, was pleased with the initiative and what it did for workers throughout the region.

“It had a significant impact in allowing us to build our team at a busy time and offer housing to support those essential workers.

“The benefits of the generosity of locals opening up their homes to assist businesses is far reaching. It impacts every member of a team by taking the pressure off staff who have been carrying the load of staffing shortages for far too long.

“It goes to building team morale, and support while it also generates revenue for the town as these crew live, spend, work, play and save while here.

“This really helps get the town back on its feet and the kindness of the community is what makes this work for us all.

“The more beds on offer, the more workers there are, and the better service the town provides in one of the busiest seasons to date in the region and our visitors are happy.

“This initiative is vital in the current climate.”

Our paradise is waiting and welcoming

Douglas & Daintree is a holiday hotspot that is well known for being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, attracting visitors and working travellers from all over the world.

Before Covid hit there were 150,000 working holidaymakers in Australia at any one time reducing to 38,000 in the midst of the pandemic, the ‘Adopt a Worker’ program aims to assist get these numbers closer to where they were pre-pandemic.

A region that is well known for its laid-back village atmosphere, renowned dining scene, amazing natural experiences and friendly service, however this current rental crisis is threatening our current reputation.

None of this matters without a workforce - sailboats don’t sail, beds aren’t made, cocktails aren’t shaken, coffee doesn’t get brewed, beers don’t get pulled, meals don’t get cooked and most importantly memories are not made.

It costs participants nothing to register, and it’s not for profit for any of these organisations or the businesses involved. It’s exclusively to the benefit of the overall region, its Working Holiday Maker population, our visitors, and anyone who frequents a bar, pub, restaurant, café, retail shop, or hotel.

If you’ve got a spare bedroom, a granny flat, an unused caravan, or even a spot to pitch a tent or park a van for a worker, you can make a little extra cash in rent and know that you’re doing your little bit to help your business community.

To be a part of the ‘Adopt a Worker’ initiative the links are for businesses to register https://www.visitportdouglasdaintree.com/corporate/for-businesses or for Douglas community members with space via https://www.visitportdouglasdaintree.com/corporate/accommodationhttp