Subsidised transport for local pickers this harvest season

Tasmanian pickers will have access to subsidised bus and coach services to get to and from Huon Valley orchards this harvest season, with funding secured for the Seasonal Worker Transport Pilot through the Tasmanian Government’s Strategic Industry Partnership Program.

Workers and growers can register now for this transport service on the Fruit Growers Tasmania website: www.fruitgrowerstas.org.au (select ‘Register your interest’)

The Huon Valley Council is delighted at this outcome, having worked together with Fruit Growers Tasmania, the Get Picking program at Geeveston Community Centre, MADEC Australia (the Harvest Trail contractor), the Tasmanian Migrant Resource Centre, and the Tasmania University Union to develop the project.

“Thanks to funding from the Tasmanian Government through its Strategic Industry Partnership Program, local people looking for seasonal work will be able to access subsidised bus services to and from Huon Valley orchards,” said Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders.

“Our growers are currently experiencing shortages in workers in part due to COVID-19 border restrictions.

“Fruit employers in the Huon Valley share vacancies of 150 to 200 people.

“This is why we are encouraging local people to undertake seasonal work and help fill the workforce gap. This includes all Tasmanians, including school leavers, university students and members of the migrant community, and new residents.”

A lack of reliable transport access has traditionally been one of the main reasons preventing Tasmanians from taking part in seasonal work, so the Seasonal Worker Transport Pilot will make a real difference in securing a local workforce.

“The Seasonal Worker Transport Pilot is the latest in a set of initiatives that the Tasmanian Government and Fruit Growers Tasmania have implemented in an effort to lessen the effects of a shortage of seasonal workers for our growers, and to provide greater opportunities for Tasmanians to get involved in the harvest,” Peter Cornish, CEO of Fruit Growers Tasmania said.

“The proactive involvement of the Huon Valley Council has been an important component in the development of this initiative, as it will be in its implementation and refinement,” Mr Cornish said.

Looking for seasonal work?

This week (Wednesday 20 January), induction sessions were held in Huonville for pickers to find out about opportunities and register for seasonal work. There will also be sessions held on Friday 22 January and 29 January 2021 at the Migrant Resource Centre in Glenorchy (open to the migrant community only). Book now on Eventbrite

To register for seasonal work, visit the Harvest Trail website or call 1800 062 332.

Feature image (left to right): Huon Valley Council Manager Economic Development Michelle Gledhill, Nic Hansen of Cherries Tasmania Orchards, Leah Galvin of Get Picking, Michael Tarbath of Fruit Growers Tasmania, Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett, and Fruit Growers Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish.