Community
15 November, 2024
Helping businesses attract staff this summer
BUSINESSES in Port Fairy are gearing up for a busy summer season and Moyne Shire Council is helping them attract the staff they need.
Council has launched the Work and Play initiative, providing local businesses with an opportunity to house workers in affordable short-term accommodation.
Moyne Shire chief executive Mark Eversteyn said Southcombe Lodge has been made available for participating businesses to use over an eight-week period.
He said businesses could lease a spot for workers at a discounted price, which they could then bundle up as a working holiday package to help attract staff.
“Following COVID, 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,” Mr Eversteyn said.
He believes if businesses have staff and can offer their full services, Port Fairy will be at its best for locals and visitors to enjoy.
It will also help ensure Port Fairy remains a premier summer holiday destination.
Mr Eversteyn said there was a great response from both people seeking employment and businesses registering for the program and making plans to secure seasonal staff.
“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, are all about thinking differently.
“Moyne Shire is a leader in this space, we are thinking about how we can use the resources we have to support our communities in an area that traditionally isn’t a core responsibility of council.”
He added that while council was not a housing provider, it was able to use the levers it had available to do what it could to make a difference.
