New Green Army projects help care for Noosa environment
18th December, 2015
Land management and conservation efforts for local flora and fauna in the Noosa region will receive a boost thanks to funding for four new projects under the latest round of Federal Government’s Green Army program.
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said two of the projects were being sponsored by the Noosa Shire Council with another two sponsored by the Noosa and District Landcare Group.
“Noosa has a very strong, internationally renowned reputation for its environmental assets and these Green Army projects will help maintain that reputation, while boosting the health of our local environment,” Mr Truss said.
“I wish to thank Noosa Shire Council and the Noosa and District Landcare Group for the invaluable expertise and support that they are providing for these projects.
“Both of the projects sponsored by Noosa Shire Council will build on the progress of previous Green Army projects to manage Weed Threats in Bushland reserves and coastal habitats in the Noosa region. This will see shorebird survey, turtlecare volunteers and Green Army participants working together to conserve nationally threatened species and protect our local biodiversity.
“Another two projects, sponsored by the Noosa and District Landcare Group will aim to increase native habitat in Noosa’s coastal and hinterland areas. The projects will help with the planting of 1700 native trees to revegetate a Subtropical Lowland Rainforest environment and provide a habitat for several EPBC listed species. The sequestration of high volumes of carbon will be an additional benefit of the project.”
The latest projects announced under Round 4 of the Federal Government’s Green Army project brings the total number of approved Green Army projects to 1,145 since the programme began in 2014.
Round Four of the Green Army has a focus on threatened species recovery, with 311 of the new projects supporting threatened species recovery, including 119 projects to help conserve priority threatened species.
Working on national and world heritage sites will also be the focus for 106 new Green Army projects, including 32 of direct benefit to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Green Army programme not only benefits the environment, but also provides participants with experience they can use elsewhere in the workforce, as well as the opportunity to gain Certificate I or II qualifications.
Mr Truss said he was pleased to hear reports that several participants under previous rounds of the projects had gone on to gain permanent employment as a result of their experiences working in the Green Army.
“These qualifications will help prepare young Australians for the workforce, with training provided to up to 15,000 young Australians by 2018,” he said.
A full list of approved Round Four projects can be found online at: www.australia.gov.au/greenarmy.
