<\/p>\n
Dicky Bill’s summer crops are grown at Maffra, Victoria. (Supplied: Dicky Bill)<\/p>\n
Dicky Bill operated two farms at Maffra in Gippsland and Drinan, west of Bundaberg.<\/p>\n
The ABC understands at least 30 of the workers from the Maffra farm have found work at local farms and in Mildura, but many others are still searching as Christmas looms.<\/p>\n
Cambrai Backpackers Hotel owner Adam Mair said he and his wife Beck were using their contacts to help find alternative work for tenants who have lost their jobs.<\/p>\n
“Fingers crossed we find a few more jobs for them and they can continue on their visa work,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s an unfortunate thing for us and the backpackers, but we can probably recover quicker than locals looking for full-time work.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam Mair has been working to connect people with new jobs. (ABC Gippsland: Jack Colontuano)<\/p>\n
Mr Mair said he was concerned for the Maffra community in the wake of the shutdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Everyone will be optimistic that another operator will buy and take over. It is a good facility out there and good growing land,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Most of the backpackers, they do spend locally \u2014 they go for dinner at the pubs and clubs.”<\/p>\n
Search for new operator<\/p>\n
Landlord Warakirri Asset Management lawfully terminated the leases on the two properties last week, upon which $330,000 in rental arrears were owed.<\/p>\n
Melbourne-based restructure firm Cor Cordis has been appointed as administrator.<\/p>\n
A Warakirri spokesperson said the fund was seeking tenant partners to continue farming the assets, including approximately $2 million worth of crops in the ground.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dicky Bill’s winter crop, including corn, is grown at its Drinan farm in Queensland. (Supplied: Dicky Bill)<\/p>\n
“Our investment is as landlord and owner of the land assets only. We understand the difficult position many employees are facing as a result of Dicky Bill’s situation,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
“We are working hard to finalise arrangements with new operating partners so full operations can resume on the farms and hope this will result in the reinstatement of many of the lost jobs.”<\/p>\n
On Monday Dicky Bill owner Ryan McLeod said Victorian flood damage<\/a>, as well as cyclonic weather in Queensland in recent years, had placed pressure on the business<\/a>.<\/p>\n