Popular New Farm fish ’n’ chip shop closed due to ‘chronic staff shortages’

Staff shortages have hit one of New Farm’s most popular eating spots, with a restaurant telling customers it has been forced to close temporarily to recruit more workers.

Staff shortages have hit one of New Farm’s most popular eating spots, with the Piranha Fish Caf telling customers it has closed temporarily due to “chronic staff shortages.”

“Piranha will have a short break from Friday, October 28, to recruit new team members,” a sign on the door of the eatery says. “Thank you and see you soon.” Located in Merthyr Village, the cafe was a popular haunt for locals wanting a feed of battered whiting, green fish curry or barbecue baby octopus.

The popular Piranha Fish Caf has been hit by staff shortages

Comment has been sought from cafe operator Ross Skinner. City Beat spies tell us the cafe had been struggling of late due to staff shortages, with customers served on paper plates because of a lack of people to wash dishes.

Unfortunately, Piranha is not alone in facing staff shortages with the industry calling for 200,000 more staff Australia-wide to help it rebuild from the pandemic lockdowns.

Scores of Queensland eateries have shut their doors due to shortages in the past year. Jeffrey Williams, chief executive of hospitality industry jobs platform Barcats Australia, predicted venues may look at closing their doors for almost half the week, offering limited menus and taking 25 per cent longer to serve customers this summer.

Doctor Calls

One of Brisbane’s most respected medicos Gino Pecoraro has a new gig as chairman of Australian Health Practitioners Advisory Solutions (AHPAS).

Pecoraro tells City Beat that the new privately-run body aims to bring together health professionals of all persuasions - from doctors and nurses to chiropractors and psychiatrists - for education, peer networking and advocacy.

Pecoraro (illustrated) says there is a need for greater protection for medical professionals, especially in the face of vexatious and frivolous claims that can result in arbitrary prosecutions.

He is particularly concerned about a controversial Bill just passed in Queensland that will see accused health practitioners “named and shamed” prior to the completion of investigations.

Queensland obstetrician Gino Pecoraro. Pics Tara Croser.

He says AHPAS aims to provide a networking platform for healthcare professionals and fund initial consultation and legal advice services from experts in the field of employment, industrial, administrative, constitutional and criminal law.

Earlier this year, Pecoraro received an Order of Australia for his service to the community through his work as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, with a special interest in high-risk obstetrics. He is the immediate past board chair of the Federal AMA and a former AMA Queensland president.

Tech deal

Tech firm Brennan has acquired Brisbane’s MOQ for an estimated $23m, beating a rival offer from competitor Atturra.

The deal is the seventh major acquisition for the Sydney-based company in its 25-year history and makes Brennan the biggest privately-owned system integrator in the country. It follows Brennan’s acquisition of iExec in 2006, TSA Communications in 2007, Tele-IP in 2008, S Central in 2009, Forsythes Technology last year and Clade Solutions earlier this year. Brennan’s 7.5 cents a share offer for MOQ beat out a rival bid from NSW-based Atturra for 6 cents a share. Brennan founder and managing director Dave Stevens says Brennan is pursuing a “aggressive organic growth strategy as well as a focused acquisition strategy,” with a possible listing on the ASX in the next 12-18 months.

Following the completion of the MOQ acquisition, the company will be on track for revenues of $275 million in the next 12 months and will service more than 1,400 clients including Aurizon, HammondCare and BG&E. Spending on IT services in Australia is expected to reach around $39b by the end of this year.