24 March 2014

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor today confirmed Green Army funding for rehabilitation of the Greenways of Sutton, Bywong and Wamboin.

Mr Taylor said the funding would employ a team of young people to work on controlling riparian weeds in difficult to access sites.

“The key aims are to control weeds, repair minor erosion gullies and improve pedestrian access along the bushwalking trails known as the Greenways,” Mr Taylor said. “Created in the 1990s, the Greenways are a unique and well used network of recreation and conservation trails through the rural residential areas of the Upper Yass Catchment. 

“The Green Army team will carry out physical removal and chemical spraying of weeds, design and construction of simple erosion control measures, revegetation along the Greenways to reduce soil erosion and construction of small pedestrian bridges.”

Mr Taylor said it was one of five Green Army projects approved for Hume and part of a wider Coalition commitment to supply a Green Army of up to 15,000 young people to tackle environmental issues in their local communities.

“Under this project up to nine young people aged 17 to 24 will be employed for 20 to 26 weeks to carry out the work. Each participant will be paid an allowance, which will vary according to age and qualifications. There will be a Team Supervisor who will be paid a wage consistent with the Gardening and Landscaping Services Award.

“Green Army trainees may need to study conservation and land management modules through NSW Tafe, allowing them to gain skills in plant recognition, tree planting, land clearing and restoration, designing interpretive signage and constructing walking trails, tracks and viewing platforms.”

In a speech to parliament today Mr Taylor said there was a growing excitement in local communities about encouraging youth participation and training.

“Only a few months away from kick off in July and already on the ground, teams of organisers are ready to swing young people into action. Youth unemployment is high in parts of my electorate. Youth participation in local community is low. The Green Army Programme is a great initiative to encourage young people who are looking to participate.”  

Mr Taylor said a tender process would be underway shortly to employ a service provider who would engage Green Army team members, pay allowances and manage team activities.

He said further details on how young people could apply would be provided after the service provider was contracted. www.environment.gov.au/topics/cleaner-environment/clean-land/green-army