Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced a second Green Army project for Wollondilly Shire.

Mr Taylor said a new team would be engaged to work with the Tharawal Local Aboriginal Lands Council to clean up the Couridjah area near Buxton. He said this was in addition to a team already working on Picton’s Stonequarry Creek.

“There’s an area at Couridjah, between Buxton and Thirlmere, that’s been used to store building materials and construction debris and is now overgrown with weeds. A Green Army team will be engaged in coming months to remove weeds, plant native trees, get involved in seed collection and propagation, as well as install a bush tucker garden,” Mr Taylor said.

“The Green Army has been a great success across Hume, with a further five projects announced in Round 2, bringing the number of projects in Hume to eight.”

He said, as at the start of April, 165 Green Army projects were underway across Australia.

“The Green Army provides opportunities for people aged 17 to 24 to gain training and experience in environmental and conservation projects. This is all about giving young people the confidence and skills to take the next step toward ongoing employment.”

He said participants received an allowance for up to six months work, first aid skills training, as well as the opportunity to gain Certificate I or II qualifications in areas such as land management, park management, landscaping or horticulture. Anyone interested in joining the Green Army can apply through the appointed Service Providers, listed at www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army/service-providers