Helping business attract summer staff

Published on 08 December 2022

Tourism and hospitality businesses in Port Fairy have been able to attract staff for the peak summer period thanks to a Moyne Shire Council initiative.

Council’s Work and Play program is offering Port Fairy based tourism and hospitality businesses an opportunity to use Southcombe Lodge precinct to accommodate workers, helping them attract the staff they need to offer a full service over the busy summer period.

Mayor Cr Karen Foster said the initiative has so far supported six local businesses to help attract seasonal staff for the summer.  

“Those businesses have between 10 and 20 workers making use of the accommodation for the summer– It’s a great result for the first year of this program,” Cr Foster said.

“The businesses have been able to package up a deal where seasonal staff get a job and a place to stay beside the sea for the summer.  

“It’s really encouraging to have a response like this and we can see there is room for growth in the future.”

Merrijig Inn and Kitchen owner Tanya Connellan said the program had supported them in their recruitment of a new chef for the popular eatery and accommodation provider.

“Having this little tool in our kit bag helped us attract staff, especially for the summer,” she said.

“Apart from finding people to work, we have trouble finding places for people to live. This gives us a chance to show off our business and to show off Port Fairy and gives a person a chance to think this could be my place.

“They might decide to stay on longer term, but if they don’t - at least it gives us a chance to be fully staffed for the busy summer period.”

Cr Foster said lack of affordable short term accommodation was highlighted as a major barrier to attracting a seasonal workforce last year.

“Our Economic Development and Tourism team worked together with Port Fairy hospitality and tourism businesses to develop this program which is a win-win for everyone,” she said.

“Last summer many businesses in Port Fairy had to reduce hours or their offering over the busy summer holiday period because they couldn’t attract staff with lack of accommodation being a major factor. It risked Port Fairy’s reputation as a summer holiday hotspot.

“If businesses have staff and can offer their full, or expanded, services it means Port Fairy will be at its best for locals and visitors to enjoy and ensure Port Fairy remains a premier summer holiday destination.”

Cr Foster said Council recognised there was a wider issue with housing in the region, but this was one way simple and effective way it could assist.

“Providing housing isn’t a core responsibility of Council, but we recognise it’s a major issue for our community so we need to do what we can to assist,” she said.

“This is another example of Council using the levers it has available to it. We are leaders in this space and we are thinking about use our resources to support our communities.

“This program, like our key worker cabins in Koroit and Mortlake and the work we have done on the key worker housing project across the region is all about supporting the community where we can.”