It comes amid reports that travellers are already abandoning rural work across the Riverina in droves because of the higher tax plan. 

The federal government will increase tax for working holidaymakers to 32.5 per cent, as well as removing the tax-free threshold for earnings up to $18,200. 

The new rules were due to be enforced from July 1, however, were given a six-month deferral amid the federal election and continuing opposition from producers. 

But the founder of Facebook group Helping Australian Farmers and Travellers Wayne McFarlane believes producers and those in RVs could help each other out.

He has proposed motor home travellers, who are predominately over 55, stay on unused farming land in return for a small fee or a few hours of labour.

“If a farmer could have an RV’er stay on that block it could earn the farmer $10 per night or $70 for a week,” Mr McFarlane said.

“Also the farmer could trade camping costs for a hand on the property to do a job that has been put off because it needed two or more people to do the work.

“Often the job would only take a few hours.” 

The idea appears to be gaining speed, with more than 2000 people joining the social media group. 

Members of the group range  across Australia from northern Queensland, NSW, Tasmania and Western Australia. 

Some tout their skills from former occupations such as plastering. 

But Griffith Business Chamber vice president Paul Pierotti has rubbished the idea.

“It’s crazy,” he said.

“The primary reason backpackers are doing this work is because no one will and it’s very very hard manual work. 

“For grey nomads I can’t see it.

“You have to be young, you have to be fit, you have to be strong.” 

Farmers who are already feeling the pinch due to rises in other areas will not be able to stay sustainable under the loss of labour. 

“They are extremely concerned about it, and the number of backpackers coming into the area have already dropped dramatically,” Mr Pierotti said. 

“It’s not necessary and it’s unfair.”

The only realistic way the worker shortage would be sourcing more overseas workers.

“No one will, what will probably happen like in other industries we will have to bring in foreign workers on 457 visas,” Mr Pierotti said.

“It’s not like people have been knocking down doors and competing against backpackers.”