Grain farmers lobby for 1000 skilled workers, say they could quarantine in a military-controlled tent city

WA’s peak farming group says a big tent city could be built in regional WA and the Army used to quarantine 1000 desperately needed workers ahead of this year’s harvest — but it first needs support from the State Government. WA Farmers grain section president Mic Fels said the group could seek military assistance if the Government agreed to a plan to escalate quarantine alternatives. The call come amid concerns for the coming grain harvest, which is expected to reach a record 20 million tonnes, with the State only having about a quarter of the trained heavy machinery workers it needs. Mr Fels said the tent city could be established at one of the many regional CBH sites, which have big open spaces and good facilities. Training to upskill could be offered at the same time. “In informal discussions CBH appears to be supportive,” Mr Fels said from the sidelines at the WAFarmers annual conference in Northam today. Mr Fels said the group was desperate to find a solution to ensure people are allowed into the State in coming months, ahead of the harvest which starts in October. WA’s grain industry typically relies on qualified seasonal workers from the northern hemisphere to complement its local workforce during the peak seeding and harvest periods. Last week, WAFarmers wrote to the Federal and State governments pleading for them to escalate quarantine alternatives for 1000 low-risk skilled agricultural machinery operators, warning the industry was at risk of market failure. Welcoming delegates to the conference dinner on Thursday, CBH chairman Simon Stead said the co-operative would be running on fewer staff, many with less experience than usual, but would be required to take in a big crop this harvest. Mr Stead said CBH’s priority was to keep people safe and warned patience would be needed by farmers at the bins. “Farmers are also going to have to play a role at the farm to keep workers safe. Let’s hope we can deliver the crop without any incident,” he said. Each year CBH takes in about 1800 casuals over summer to receive the harvest, and this year started its recruitment campaign early because of the labour shortage gripping WA. The WA grain industry is the second-biggest contributor to the WA economy after resources, estimated to be worth about $7 billion this year after a record 9 million hectares were planted and because of good rains early in the season.