Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development
The Honourable Andrew Fraser

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Queensland’s Green Army heads to central Cape York

Six people from the region surrounding Chuulangun on central Cape York will join Queensland’s Green Army and complete 26-week paid work placements with Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation.

Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development Andrew Fraser said the participants’ work would support the Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Indigenous Protected Area Management Plan and develop eco-tourism opportunities on the land.

“The Bligh Government is providing $83,500 for this project as part of our commitment to create 3000 jobs in the coming three years through Queensland’s Green Army,” Mr Fraser said.

“The six participants will complete a variety of landscaping and horticultural tasks as well as completing accredited training in conservation and land management.

“This will be the second Chuulangun employment, training and capacity building project funded. The group will actually be working with a ranger who completed the first project which demonstrates that employment opportunities do arise for participants.”

Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said the project would produce many benefits.

“The participants will be paid to protect and restore the natural environment while they gain experience and complete on-the-job training that will prepare them for green collar jobs,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Caring for the land will also help the local communities protect their cultural heritage.

“This project is only a small part of the 2300 paid work placements and 700 traineeships that will be created through Queensland’s Green Army, but supporting paid training opportunities for unemployed people in remote communities is important.

“Projects like this also help Queensland work towards the Council of Australian Government’s target to halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people within a decade.”

Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation chair David Claudie said the group had secured Working on Country funding from the Australian Government under the Caring for Our Country Initiative which had allowed the employment of three Chuulangun rangers to date.

“These rangers will help share Indigenous knowledge, manage weeds and feral animals, and monitor and protect plants animals and Indigenous heritage sites so it is important they are properly trained,” Mr Claudie said.

“On the Green Army project, the six participants will gain experience in weed and feral animal control, revegetation and soil conservation, and working with tourists and visitors as well as 15 modules of accredited training delivered on-site by the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE.

“This project will be an important step for the participants, the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation and also the local communities.

”The project supports the permanent reoccupation and capacity-building of homelands and collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people committed to living and working on country.”

Unemployed people can check their eligibility and register their interest in joining Queensland’s Green Army by calling 1800 249 215 or visiting www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au.


Media contacts: Treasurer’s office – 3224 6361 or 3224 5982
                              Member for Cook – 4051 3849
                              David Claudie – 4060 3240

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