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CLIVE Palmer’s Coolum Resort (pictured) today confirmed it had retrenched some of its 650 workers.
The layoffs came three months after the mining magnate settled a bitter management dispute with former operator Hyatt outside of court. Shortly after the settlement, Palmer praised hotel staff and offered each employee a $500 bonus.
The tone today was markedly different.
“This is a regrettable outcome of improving the overall efficiency of the business since new management took over from the Hyatt,” says the resort in a written statement.
“With the change of management, we are reviewing every department and making tough decisions, which in many cases, are long overdue.”
The resort would not confirm how many roles were made redundant, but reports suggest 20 housekeepers, four gardeners, eight laundry workers and five housemen were retrenched.
General manager Bill Schoch defends the sackings, revealing they are part of a broader review and upgrade to facilities at Coolum Resort.
“The decisions are being made from a business point of view to build a stronger tourism asset for the region, which can sustain growth into the future,” he says.
“The resort has very exciting plans for the future which cannot be discussed at this stage, but will provide considerable economic and employment benefits for the region.”
It is understood investment has been made on a new information technology system for the resort, improving drainage on the golf course and advertising in Brisbane and Melbourne.
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