FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the Government is putting out the call for the first round of recruits to join the Green Army.
Mr Joyce said the Green Army is looking for enthusiastic 17-24 year olds in the New England Electorate to join what will become the largest-ever team of young Australians supporting environmental action across the country.
“The first round of Green Army projects are set to get underway in the coming weeks and young people who want to gain valuable skills, training and experience in environmental and heritage conservation fields are encouraged to register their interest” Mr Joyce said.
“Appointed Service Providers are now promoting opportunities for young Australians who want to help our community deliver important local conservation outcomes.”
Green Army projects to be rolled out soon in the New England Electorate include:
A revegetation project at the Inverell Waste Management Centre which would see a Green Army team work on identified projects including the propagation and planting of White Box seedlings around the waste management facility. Up to 20 young people will undertake pre-project selection workshops and upon completion, nine participants will be selected for participation in the Green Army project.
Under the supervision of skilled nursery staff and an accredited trainer, participants would propagate tree seedlings and undertake accredited training at the BEST Tree Tenders Nursery Facility located on Warialda Road. Participants will learn horticulture techniques, plant and equipment operation, employability skills and will develop environmental and species awareness.
A second project is being supervised by the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers on behalf of the Jubullum Local Aboriginal Land Council on the Rocky River, where the riverbank has progressively eroded through flooding events and upstream water-use activities.
This has destroyed the natural riverbank and affected the vegetation and associated habitats of freshwater-based flora and fauna, including short-necked turtles ['binging'] and the recently discovered and possibly unique freshwater prawn.
This project aims to assess and survey the requirements for re-vegetating the river-bank and developing community-based skills which can be used into the future for ongoing monitoring and protection.
“Green Army participants will be able to undertake accredited training such as work readiness, conservation and land management, heritage conservation, project and human resource management and heritage trade skills,” Mr Joyce said.
“Participants will receive a Green Army allowance for the duration of their project. Participants will also be supported to obtain Certificate I or II qualifications or nationally endorsed skills set to help them prepare for the workforce or improve their career opportunities.”
Mr Joyce said the Green Army was a key Coalition election commitment, and with $525 million budgeted over four years, the Green Army is one of the Government's major environmental initiatives and will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia, providing training to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.
Young Australians interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers for each state and territory. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/green-army