SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council will welcome in the new season with a backpackers and seasonal workers welcome evening this Friday in Stanthorpe.
The welcome event will be held at 7pm on Friday night 22 January at the Civic Centre, Marsh Street, Stanthorpe, and follows a similar welcome held by the council in October last year.
Southern Downs Regional Council mayor Peter Blundell said the idea for the welcoming event arose from discussions by the Road Safety for Seasonal Workers and Backpackers Taskforce, which was established in May last year.
“The evening will include representatives from the farming community, accommodation providers, government departments and interested community members who will welcome and mix with the workers on a social level,” he said.
“We recognise the importance of the seasonal worker and backpacker industry as a growth industry in the region. The welcome is aimed at giving those workers who are staying and working in our region local information on matters such as road safety and accommodation, with various agencies and providers onsite, in an informal social setting, with a one-stop-shop approach.
“It’s also about letting them know they are appreciated in our region and an important cog in our agricultural industries. These workers are beneficial to our region and our local economies,” Cr Blundell said.
If primary producers or community members would like to come along please RSVP to the council’s Economic Development Unit at edu@sdrc.qld.gov.au while accommodation suppliers and banking institutions who would like to attend and have a table for information and brochures are also welcome and should contact Jenny Sherrin via email at edu@sdrc.qld.gov.au on 1300 697 372.
The council’s website now includes a Guide for Backpackers page and the MY SDRC App has been adapted to include a “backpacker enquiry” option for seasonal workers to select for assistance if needed. Access the Guide for Backpackers at www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/our-region/backpackersguide/guide-for-backpackers
The MY SDRC App is free to download from the App Store (Apple devices) or Google Play (for Android devices). Simply search for MY SDRC and install.
