Walkamin workers camp for 218 people gets green light from council

The critical farm worker shortage on the Atherton Tablelands will be addressed with an important new development proceeding.

ACCOMMODATION for 218 agricultural workers will be built at 601 Channel Rd at Walkamin with Tablelands Regional Council approving the development.

Walkamin Enterprises owner Jennifer Disley has signed a contract to sell her 601-603 Channel Rd property to Rock Ridge Farming.

The latter business is a family-owned enterprise with multiple banana and avocado farms across the Tablelands region – two crops that have been smashed by picker shortages in recent years.

Tablelands fruit growers have been crying out for labour to help pick fruit and maintain farms. Picture: Bronwyn Farr.

Rock Ridge Farming will expand a seasonal worker accommodation facility on the site from its current 24 beds up to 218 in eight demountable buildings.

Council said a full time caretaker must reside and be present while there were people accommodated, to minimise potential impacts such as noise and anti-social behaviour.

Accommodation such as tents, recreational vehicles, caravans or the like is prohibited.

The development includes kitchens, recreational and amenities building with a self-contained manager’s residence.

“While a workers’ camp, the facility will also act as an approved quarantine facility under the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Program,” the development application states.

“Such a facility will not only serve the requirements of Rock Ridge Farming to source and quarantine their own workers, but will provide a regional facility that will have the ability to service the broader labour shortages being experienced across the shire.”

Originally published as Walkamin workers camp for 218 people gets green light from council