Tourism and wine groups bond over lack of seasonal worker accommodation

Local organisations are working on a study to argue the case for greater investment in housing for seasonal workers. The Margaret River Wine Association and Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association commissioned consultants ACIL Allen to develop a pre-feasibility study which could lead to more effective lobbying of the State and Federal governments. MRWA chief executive Amanda Whiteland said the study aimed to “validate the size of the need for short-term worker accommodation in the region for the wine and tourism industry”. “This will hopefully lead to a further business case and development of solutions for the future,” Ms Whiteland said. The move comes as the region faces renewed housing pressure with reports of new arrivals from WA’s reopened border heading straight for the Capes region. Less than one per cent of rental housing was available on the market and vintage was again under pressure from a lack of short-term accommodation options. MRBTA co-chief executive Sharna Kearney said the consultants were interviewing tourism and wine industry operators to understand housing needs.