ORCHARDIST Guy Gaeta says Orange City Council is naive if it thinks orchardists are responsible for finding accommodation for the thousands of fruit pickers who will arrive in the city in the next seven weeks.
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“They find accommodation for any other types of tourist ... [the pickers] spend all their money in Orange and if they think most of the orchards are in Cabonne, well they’re mistaken. Fifty per cent and more are in Orange,” Mr Gaeta said.
Councillors discussed problems associated with fruit pickers coming to the city at length at Tuesday night’s council meeting - problems such as pickers camping on the side of the road on dangerous stretches such as Chinamans Bend and parks such as Elephant Park.
Mayor John Davis said the people of Orange unfairly expected council to solve the problem when “it’s not our responsibility”.
In a report adopted by councillors on Tuesday night, tourism manager Glenn Mickle identified the showground as the preferred site for pickers to camp and, while Colour City Caravan Park would also be available to fruit pickers, Lake Canobolas would no longer be available.
However, Mr Gaeta said at least 3000 pickers would descend on the region and there would not be enough room.
Cr Kevin Duffy said council should consider setting up a tent city next year, even though “it’s not our responsibility,” while Cr Russell Turner suggested it was better to separate the groups to reduce noise and rubbish.
Mr Gaeta suggested the Scout Camp near Lake Canobolas would be ideal, but the idea was not accepted by council because community and cultural services director Scott Maunder said it was the more expensive option.
“We have been talking about enhancing that site ... but the quantity of dollars to make that site suitable for a large camping facility extends over $100,000,” he said.
To provide additional facilities at the showground and 60 additional sites it will cost $40,000.
Councillors suggested estimates that thousands of backpackers would flood the region were exaggerated, but Mr Gaeta said conservative estimates were at 2600.
Orchardist Robert Armstrong predicted this season to be one of the biggest and said orchardists relied on backpackers to make it through.
nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au
