An orchardist says he is turning away record numbers of backpackers seeking fruit picking work after they lost their jobs in Sydney due to the coronavirus.
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Bernard Hall who runs the Bite Riot apple orchard and packing shed on Canobolas Road said they were trying to manage health and biosecurity concerns at the farm.
"Our contractor said he's had more calls in the last week than he has had in the last two years," he said.
"There's been a lot of backpackers in Sydney who have lost their jobs in hospitality. They've all tried to come out here but we won't take them on."
Mr Hall said they employed about 45 pickers and 14 packers and many had been with the company for some time.
He said they had "read the riot act" to staff about ensuring they followed social distancing laws during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Hall said they also asked staff to keep the regulated distance away from the backpackers coming from Sydney to restrict their chances of infection.
They've all tried to come out here but we won't take them on.
- Bernard Hall, orchardist
He said he had closed the orchard gates and put up coronavirus warning signs to limit the number of people on the site. Mr Hall said staff were wearing gloves, regularly washing their hands and keep safe distances apart.
He said there was normally a one-two week break in picking work between varieties of apples in Orange.
In the past that had led some backpackers to head elsewhere for work. However, he said he did not expect that would happen this year.
"The break will be over Easter. Things do normally quieten down," he said.
NSW Farmers Orange branch chair Bruce Reynolds said he understood Orange region orchardists had enough staff to get them through the season.
He said some had brought in family members while others had enough backpackers and other people from the region helping out.
Mr Reynolds said orchardists believed the shutting of the Queensland border would probably mean backpackers would continue to work on local farms.
A national recruiting company food Industry People Group, said there was a shortage of workers at sites in NSW including Orange.
Spokesman Darren Basford said there were "opportunitIes at several sites including orchards, eggs and flour mills" in Orange.
However, he said he did not have numbers or could name companies seeking workers.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
