24 March 2014

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor today confirmed Green Army funding for Upper Lachlan Landcare’s Tussock Tamers in Action project.

Mr Taylor said the funding would employ a team of young people to work on reducing the impacts of serrated tussock and other noxious weeds on productive grazing land.

“Tussock Tamers in Action will carry out physical removal of weeds, chemical control, tree planting to prevent seed spread, fencing for control grazing and sowing of native grass seeds,” Mr Taylor said.

“Tussock Tamers in Action will follow on from local education programs which have been encouraging land managers to use integrated weed management plans. Over the past two years, 180 farming families have participated in local Tussock Tamer workshops across the Upper Lachlan Catchment and 300 families have attended field days,” Mr Taylor said.

“Serrated tussock is incredibly invasive and has the potential to infest entire properties. It’s been described as causing a greater reduction of pasture and grazing capacity than any other weed in Australia.”

Mr Taylor said the program 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 native grass identification and native grass seed harvesting, use of chemicals and equipment, fencing, tree planting and use of weed eradication equipment including mattocks and spray packs, as well as seed harvesters.”

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