Duty of care for workers
SOUTHERN Downs Mayor Peter Blundell has spoken out about backpacker accommodation, saying the council must maintain a duty of care for the regions' seasonal workers.
The mayor's comments come as the council endorsed a report suggesting delegated authority be given to the council's CEO to commence enforcement action against landowners and real estate agents who unlawfully aid in the offence of illegal accommodation.
Mayor Cr Peter Blundell said there were often a number of complaints raised about properties occupied illegally.
"Properties occupied illegally by seasonal workers are often the cause of numerous complaints.
"These include overcrowding, untidy allotments, excessive rubbish and noise," he said.
"In some cases we've seen overcrowding cause overflowing septic systems.
"This has then created environmental nuisance and public health risk," the mayor said.
