A quarantine facility near Mareeba being discussed as growers look to international workers

A plan to get international backpackers back to the farms and pubs of Far North Queensland is being devised by worried operators who are still thousands of workers short. HAVE YOUR SAY

A PLAN to get international backpackers back to the farms and pubs of Far North Queensland is being devised by worried operators who are still thousands of workers short.

Discussions have opened within the agriculture and hospitality sectors about the establishment of quarantine facilities to entice working holiday makers from Europe, USA and Japan back to the country to fill a glaring staff shortage.

The plan, which would require significant state and federal government funding and support, has been endorsed by Howe Farming Group owner Dennis Howe, one of the biggest banana growers in the region, and Kennedy MP Bob Katter.

Member for Kennedy Bob Katter wants to see a quarantine facilities introduced to get working holiday-makers back to North Queensland. (Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

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Mr Howe said he was looking at a site near Mareeba where a 160-room facility could be built to meet COVID-19 protocols capable of being turned into accommodation for future workers once quarantining was no longer required.

“We need to do something,” he said.

“There is plenty of work around but high unemployment in the area, so that’s not going to change if it hasn’t by now.

Howe Farming owner Dennis Howe inspects some bananas in Walkamin.

“Backpackers are keen, they want to come here and work and we need to find a way to facilitate that (during the pandemic).”

Mr Katter, who was slammed earlier in the year for suggesting Dunk Island as a possible quarantine site, said there was a want from growers and hospitality businesses to “get things moving” with returning backpackers.

He said there was the potential to take “200 backpackers a fortnight” from overseas and house them in quarantine facilities in North Queensland.

“At some point in time we need to accept that we are not going to get rid of this virus, we have to live with it,” he said.

“We need to move into the new world.

“First step is to put in a quarantine station in North Queensland and we’re hoping by next week we’ll have a more detailed proposal.”

Growers are finding it difficult to find workers in the absence of backpackers.

Mr Howe said North Queensland, which produces about six per cent of the countries fruit, nuts and vegetables, needed to secure workers for both the short and long term.

He suggested offering citizenship for international workers willing to commit to three years of employment.

“We have to make it more attractive for the backpackers who are already here to stay and we also need to get more over,” he said.

Originally published as A quarantine facility near Mareeba being discussed as growers look to international workers