Minister launches new Green Corps project in Amoonguna

Joint Media Release with The Hon Brendan O'Connor, Minister for Employment Participation and The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Member For Lingiari, Minister For Defence Science And Personnel

The Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, today launched a new Green Corps project at Amoonguna in the Northern Territory.

The project will develop community gardens within the desert landscape, using native vegetation and making the most efficient use of water and other resources.

Green Corps is a federally funded program which provides young people aged between 17 to 20 with training and work experience in projects that conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s environment and cultural heritage.

"Green Corps projects gives young people the chance to get involved with projects that restores and preserves our beautiful natural environment and heritage and acquire accredited training which will help them in their future work or studies," Mr O’Connor said.

"The gardens developed as part of the Amoonguna project will be used for communal gatherings and for growing fruit, and vegetables, and plants for traditional medicine and bush tucker.

"While the Amoonguna project team— which comprises both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants —will receive accredited training and hands-on experience in land management, irrigation, fencing, tree planting and erosion control."

Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said the gardens would be a major benefit for

Amoonguna community.

"Participants in this project will be guided by tutors from the Desert Knowledge Learning Centre," Mr Snowdon said.

"The efforts of the co-ordinating organisation, Community Volunteers Australia, and the partner agency, Amoonguna Community Incorporated have been instrumental in co-ordinating this important local project."

For more information visit www.greencorps.gov.au