Praise for the Green Army team which is continuing important restoration work at Goulburn Wetlands.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor joined Goulburn FROGS Landcare members and Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle at the site recently to see how work was progressing.

Mr Taylor said a core team of six young people, contracted under the Federal Government’s Green Army Programme, were seed collecting, removing weeds, identifying plants and replanting local species. Concrete formwork has been laid in preparation for construction of the wetland’s third bird hide.

“This is a really exciting project. The Wetlands are becoming a major attraction for Goulburn and increasingly an important wildlife habitat.” Mr Taylor said the Green Army team had started its project in late May and would continue through until November.

Team member Bradley Moon thanked nearby residents for their encouragement. “There’ve been lots of positive comments from neighbours as they’ve watched our progress, which we particularly appreciated during those frosty winter mornings.”  Bradley said he had also been congratulated on his work by a member of the public in the main street after being recognised as a Green Army participant.

Former Goulburn High student Emery Joseph joined the team to obtain practical experience after completing an Environmental Science degree at the University of Canberra.

FROGS Landcare President Ray Shiel said the Green Army team was helping develop a great asset for Goulburn. “The results of their efforts are certainly showing and have made a huge difference, bringing the river into the wetland’s landscape. They can be highly commended on their efforts,” Mr Shiel said. He said FROGS Landcare was currently working on an application to host a second Green Army team to start in 2016.

Caption: Members of the Goulburn Green Army Team, from left, James House, Sean Howlett, Bradley Moon, Emery Joseph and Corey Shawyer with Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor, Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Cr Geoff Kettle, Green Army Team Leader Stephen Huntley, and Goulburn FROGS Landcare members Ray Shiel, Bill Wilkes, Ashlea Mahoney, Rodney Falconer and Peter Mowle.