AS D-Day approaches for growers anxious to harvest their crops, councils are looking to the state government for help to get workers to workplaces.
Latrobe councillor, Vonette Mead, said transporting workers to orchards and farms was a huge challenge.
"Our region is full of growers that need labour to harvest. There's a big void of about 4000 workers this year," Ms Mead said.
"That industry is enormous for our region, and we need our industry to be successful; no time more so than now."
She said the region needed to give growers the confidence there would be workers for the harvest.
"We don't have a lot of time. It's urgent, there's no time to lag.
"Getting the backpackers and the Pacific Island workers into the country is an enormous challenge, then filling the void with our local workforce.
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"It has to be multi-pronged approach."
She said the council was trying to work with the state government to find if there were initiatives to help those who couldn't transport themselves.
"From my perspective, that's something we really need to look at."
She said the council had drafted a letter to the government, asking for help and showing the council's commitment to finding solutions.
Latrobe Mayor Peter Freshney agreed.
"Workers need to access public transport to get to where the work is. It's pretty fundamental."
Cradle Coast Authority chief executive officer, Daryl Connelly, said many potential workers didn't have a driver's licence or access to reliable transport.
"Solutions have been designed to address these issues in other parts of Australia.
"Our regional economic development steering group has had discussions with an organisation looking to provide shuttle buses and driver training."
The CCA website lists the jobs transport independence project as one of its regionally important projects.
A spokesperson for the Tasmanian State Growth Department said they were interested in seeing potential solutions.
"We look forward to receiving any constructive proposals put forward to improve transport and access to jobs.
"We always endeavour to work with local governments, private organisations and local businesses to facilitate effective transport options where possible and appropriate."
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Leah McBey
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
