Three new Green Corps projects for the Territory
Three new projects in Alice Springs, Darwin and Fred’s Pass are part of the latest round of Green Corps projects announced today by the Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor.
Mr O’Connor said projects were among 59 new Green Corps projects across Australia, which will help participants gain new skills as well as helping to conserve and restore the Territory’s environment and heritage.
Green Corps is a federally funded program which provides young people aged 17-20 with the opportunity to participate in projects that conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s environment and cultural heritage.
Green Corps also aims to help community groups with restoration and rehabilitation of the environment and heritage assets. Each project consists of a team of young people, learning new skills and establishing links with their communities.
During the course of each 26-week project, participants work towards a minimum of a Certificate I qualification in horticulture, conservation and land management.
“Many young people enjoy the outdoor activities of Green Corps and are keen to contribute to environmental regeneration and heritage restoration,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Green Corps enables them to work with people of their own age under the supervision of a qualified team leader and gives them training in recognised skills that are designed to lead to full-time work opportunities in related fields.”
Mr O’Connor said that in line with its election commitment the Government had reviewed the current employment services including the Green Corps program.
“Following extensive consultation, the Government has designed a new, streamlined employment services system that will provide more streamlined and tailored services for job seekers,” he said.
“Under the new Employment Services System which begins from 1 July 2009 Green Corps activities will continue as part of work experience for job seekers.”
In Alice Springs, Conservation Volunteers Australia is working with Congress (Alukura Division) to restore a traditional site with local medicinal plants and provide a habitat for birds and animals.
Following a bush fire several years ago, Green Corps participants will restore and enhance the area to help encourage the return of women accessing the site for traditional practices.
In Darwin, Job Futures and the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation have developed a project to maintain the cultural integrity of a funeral ground of special significance to the Larrakia people.
Activities include weed and fire management, fencing of cultural sites and bush tucker trails. They will also have the opportunity to study for a qualification in conservation and land management.
Participants in the project at Fred’s Pass Reserve will create a 5.2 km walking track in the lake and Palm Garden area, including signage providing information about the surrounding flora and fauna.
Participants will also revegetate and plant indigenous species to prevent erosion, undertake water quality monitoring and remove weeds.
The new projects in the Territory are due to start in later this month. To find out more about participating in these projects visit www.greencorps.gov.au.