JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH KAREN MCNAMARA MP, MEMBER FOR DOBELL
Young locals on the New South Wales Central Coast are taking up the opportunity to be a part of the Australian Government’s Green Army Programme to help communities deliver important local conservation outcomes.
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Federal Member for Dobell, Karen McNamara, today visited two Green Army teams involved in projects at The Entrance and the Wyong Shire to see the participants in action.
“Two of the first Green Army projects in the Central Coast region are now underway with young people working on a range of environmental activities to help them gain valuable skills and experience,” Mr Hunt said.
“The Entrance North Dunes and Tuggerah Lake Foreshore Restoration project will include dune rehabilitation at Karagi Reserve and weed control at the northern end of Terilbah Reserve.”
“Participants will propagate plants, remove invasive weeds, revegetate dunes, survey birdlife and install accessways and fencing to prevent dune and slope erosion.”
“Karen McNamara is a great local member and a strong supporter of the Green Army. Residents in Dobell will see great environmental gains as a result of the rollout of the Green Army.”
The Federal Member for Dobell, Karen McNamara, said the West Tuggerah Lakes Landcare Support project would help to rehabilitate sections of the foreshore along the western side of the Tuggerah Lakes estuary.
“The Green Army team will extend the work undertaken by local Landcare groups. They will weed and plant to control erosion; remove litter; maintain a minor stormwater treatment device; and manage salt marsh,” Ms McNamara said.
“These activities will help improve the biodiversity of the foreshore, protect threatened species and their habitat, and improve community access within reserves where weeds currently inhibit access.”
These young men and women will not only be generating real environment and conservation benefits for this community, but they will be gaining valuable training and experience to help them prepare for the workforce or further training and improve their career opportunities.
Over the next four years, 1,500 projects will roll out across the country, mobilising young Australians in a range of activities to support environmental action.
The Green Army is a key Government commitment with $525 million budgeted over four years. The Programme will encourage practical, grassroots action to support local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia.
This investment in the Green Army will bring the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.
Further details on the programme are available at the Green Army website www.environment.gov.au/green-army
(ENDS)