Jobs go begging on Hayman and Daydream islands as resorts reopen after Cyclone Debbie

Two Queensland resorts hit hard by Cyclone Debbie are set to reopen within months — and there are hundreds of job vacancies to be filled.

UP TO 250 jobs are still available on two resorts in the Whitsundays Islands within months of their reopening.

Daydream and Hayman islands are scheduled to open their doors this year following their closure after Cyclone Debbie in March, 2017.

While Hamilton Island sustained minimal damage and was able to reopen within weeks, Daydream and Hayman were hit hard by the ­Category-4 storm and both needed restoration projects upwards of $100 million.

Hayman Island after its multimillion-dollar renovation.

Daydream is scheduled to reopen in April after pushing back its anticipated opening date from last September, while Hayman is expected to reopen in July after it was originally expected to open last month.

New additions and future plans for Daydream will be unveiled this week, and director of sales and marketing, Jayson Heron, said up to 100 jobs were up for grabs.

“We’re starting to recruit staff now,” he said.

“There’s between 80 to 100 roles being advertised, with everything from gardeners to waiters to refrigeration mechanics.”

A spokeswoman for Intercontinental Hotels Group said there were about 150 openings on Hayman Island, including hospitality, retail and housekeeping roles.

Daydream Island will soon unveil its plans for the popular Living Reef, which will have an underwater observatory and education centre.

“It’s a dedicated, purpose-built facility and has been greatly expanded,” Mr Heron said. “It now includes an ­education centre and underwater observatory.

Hayman Island was hit hard by Cyclone Debbie two years ago.

“Next month, we’ll start populating the living reef, moving all the animals from their temporary facility back to the main part of the ­resort.”

Daydream’s accommodation, with almost 300 rooms, has been rebuilt, with some now having terraces.

Part of the restoration works on Daydream Island will also include five new bars, two revamped restaurants and a new one.

The refurbished 166-room hotel on Hayman Island is described as an “ultra-luxury private island resort”.

Management of Hayman Island was taken over by ­Intercontinental Hotel and Resorts in July last year.