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<\/p>\nBusinesses in Western Australia’s north are facing an uncertain future after ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle derailed the region’s peak tourist season before it could begin.<\/p>\n
As the clean-up continues, questions are growing as to how to retain the crucial backpacker workforce when there is little work available.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ABC understands multiple businesses, including Exmouth’s largest resort, have let casual workers go because of fears there will not be enough work for them in the months of recovery ahead.<\/p>\n
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Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort has closed after sustaining serious damage in the storm. (ABC News: Alistair Bates)<\/p>\n
Uncertain future for backpackers<\/p>\n
Eva McNabola is from the United Kingdom and arrived in Exmouth three weeks ago on a working holiday visa.<\/p>\n
She had saved money to keep her going until she found work and before the cyclone she had secured a job.<\/p>\n
“We were going to stay for the season and we got told yesterday that they can’t employ new people right now due to the cyclone and they barely have enough hours for the staff that they already have,” Ms McNabola\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
She understands the situation the town is in but says the uncertainty is stressful.<\/p>\n
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Eva McNabola\u00a0lost her casual job in Exmouth after the cyclone hit. (ABC Pilbara: Alistair Bates)<\/p>\n
“I’m feeling nervous, I’m getting stressed,” Ms McNabola\u00a0said.<\/p>\n
“I’m trying to remain positive.<\/p>\n
“It’s just a weird spot to be in, being quite literally stranded in a town so far up the west coast with not many options to be able to get out or to start earning money.”<\/p>\n
‘Morally obliged’ to pay staff<\/p>\n
Exmouth Adventure Company managing director Hal Paine said he felt “morally obliged” to pay the 10 new staff due to start with the business on Monday despite the town being shut to visitors.<\/p>\n
The company runs kayaking and snorkelling tours of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.<\/p>\n
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Exmouth is a popular destination for whale shark tours. (ABC Pilbara: Alistair Bates)<\/p>\n
“When they get there, as an employer it is going to be a little bit scary because I’ll be obliged to give them work, but we won’t have much income until possibly after Easter, or whenever flights resume and the infrastructure is there to service the influx of tourism,” Mr Paine said.<\/p>\n
He hoped his business would be up and running after the Anzac Day long weekend.<\/p>\n
Mr Paine said he would rely on forward deposits booked earlier in the season to pay wages in the meantime.<\/p>\n
“There’s cashflow dribbling in, but there won’t be too much in the way of extraneous purchases,” he said.<\/p>\n
Stranded with no work<\/p>\n
Italian tourists Julia Legnane and Patrick Garabaldi were working at a Coral Bay cafe before Narelle hit.<\/p>\n
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Patrick Garabaldi and Julia Legnane were working in Coral Bay before the cylone hit. (ABC Pilbara: Andrew Chounding)<\/p>\n
They were evacuated south to Carnarvon to wait out the cyclone, but flooding and infrastructure damage have left businesses closed, leaving them stranded.<\/p>\n
More than a dozen buildings in Coral Bay sustained damage in the cyclone and the town and the national parks surrounding are still shut.<\/p>\n
“Because of the cyclone we are stuck here, almost for one week and waiting for the roads to open so we can go up and start work again,” Ms Legnane said.<\/p>\n
The only way for the pair to get from Carnarvon to Coral Bay is by helicopter, but they are concerned that if they fly north they may arrive in a town closed for business.<\/p>\n
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Roads were closed throughout Carnarvon and surrounding areas in the wake of the storm. (ABC News: Rachel Hagan)<\/p>\n
“Yesterday our manager left by helicopter and they are asking us if we want to do the same. It’s a little bit expensive, but it’s also expensive to stay here,” Ms Legnane said.<\/p>\n
“Also, if we go up by helicopter and the cafe is closed, we cannot work.”<\/p>\n
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Opposition leader Basil Zempilas is calling on the state government to do what it can to help. (ABC Pilbara: Alistair Bates)<\/p>\n
Backpackers the ‘lifeblood’ of Exmouth<\/p>\n
WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas flew into Exmouth on Wednesday to meet business owners and residents.<\/p>\n