Idyllic Reef isle job now up for tender

DANIEL BATEMAN Stephanie Lemm described the caretaker position as a dream job for some people. The location is regarded as one of the most picturesque destinations on the Reef.

“There’s certainly aspects of the tender that are fantastic,” she said.

“There are other bits they have to do, such as cleaning the compost toilets, but obviously it’s on a beautiful cay, right offshore from Port Douglas.

“It’s got a beautiful Commonwealth-listed lighthouse stationed there and it’s been there since 1878.

“So the caretaker would be living in a wonderfully historic site.”

Low Isles is comprised of two islands separated by a common reef. Caretakers will have accommodation provided in a solar-powered home on the larger of two islands, Woody Island, which is otherwise uninhabited except for a large bird population.

In addition to carrying out daily maintenance tasks – occasionally involving snorkelling – caretakers also carry out regular surveys of pied-imperial pigeons.

As the destination attracts up to 50,000 visitors a year, one of the key duties for care- takers is liaising with tour operators and their clients.

Ms Lemm said the position would best suit multiskilled people, who would also be called upon to regularly gather weather data.

“Suppliers nominate a price that they would charge to supply the caretaker services,” she said. “Then, an evaluation panel will evaluate how the supplier meets the essential requirements and then we’ll consider value for money.” Applicants for the Low Isles caretaker position need to apply via the AusTender website at www.tenders.gov.au (Tender: ATM000026). Applications close on May 31.