Rooms sought for workers in peak period

LORNE resident and former Surf Coast Shire councillor Clive Goldsworthy signed up to the shire’s Adopt a Worker program last summer, and is encouraging others to jump on board this year.

Mr Goldsworthy’s home was one of five local residences to house eight workers in the program, which seeks residents with a spare room to accommodate a local worker.

“I was aware The Peak restaurant was looking for accommodation for its head chef,” he said.

“The Peak owner had heard about the program through social media and asked me about it. We agreed on the terms of rental for chef Simon, and the agreement was set. It worked very well.”

He said Lorne suffered from a lack of affordable accommodation for seasonal workers.

“There are about 120 workers in hospitality, accommodation and recreational businesses seeking some type of accommodation whether it be a room, a house or apartment, caravan, campervan or even a tent.

“Potential landlords, please consider taking part in Adopt a Worker as without accommodation for our seasonal workers, businesses are unable to operate at full capacity and provide the service our tourists and holidaymakers have grown to expect.”

Lorne Ward councillor Gary Allen said it was challenging for key workers to find suitable places to stay across the shire.

“It’s particularly difficult in coastal towns, whether it’s seasonal or year-round,” he said.

The shire is working with the Lorne Business and Tourism Association (LBTA), the Committee for Lorne and Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to identify accommodation for seasonal key workers this summer and through to Easter.

LBTA president Leon Walker said anticipation was building for a busy January, following two pandemic-affected summers.

“The town’s got a good vibe at the moment and we’re feeling a lot better than last year because we’ve got international travellers back.

“I know a couple of operators who are doing Adopt a Worker, and camp sites were made available through the authority, which has been great. A lot of workers are room-sharing, some will be taking up the council’s 120-day seasonal worker camping arrangement, and businesses are adapting.

“We’ve also got holiday home owners’ kids starting work, which is great. They come down for a month, they’re looking for a job and they’re able to work and play here.”

He said locals in Lorne were becoming more aware of the affordable accommodation issue.

“People know that if we want a fully serviced industry, we need that accommodation available. Adopt a Worker is a good short-term fix and we want more people to take it up.

“But we still have the goal of long-term affordable accommodation. There’s about 600 short-term stays, so if people considered putting five per cent of these properties on the long-term rental market, that would give you about 30 permanent properties to help sustain the local community.”

For more information on Adopt a Worker or to register, head to lovelorne.com.au