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

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Green Army to take on Glass House community

Mature-aged people from Glass House and the Blackall ranges will be putting their hands up to join the Bligh Government’s Green Army when it moves into Maleny next month.

Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development Andrew Fraser said the Hinterland Business Centre would oversee two green work placement projects thanks to $118,970 in State Government funding.

“The Maleny-based Hinterland Business Centre is set to give 10 long-term unemployed people paid work, training and the opportunity to network with employers through the Hinterland Employment and Training project,” Mr Fraser said.

“The first project, commencing in late August, will run for 15 weeks with five Green Army participants being placed with Barung Landcare, Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Rural Parks Division and Beerwah Community Recycling.

“The second green work placement will commence in February 2010, with four Green Army participants again working with Barung Landcare and Sunshine Coast Regional Council, and one participant working with Hinterland Business Centre.”

“These placements are among the raft of Green Army projects currently being rolled out around the state as part of a $57 million election commitment to create 3000 green jobs for Queenslanders over the next three years.”

Hinterland Business Centre manager Yelma Fischer said participants would undertake training in agriculture and the environment.

“At Barung Landcare, two people in each project will gain skills in nursery practices and bush regeneration, including site assessment and preparation, planting and maintenance, small machinery use, plant identification, seed collection and pest and weed management,” Ms Fischer said.

“The two participants in each council project will gain skills in landscaping, construction and maintenance of the council’s facilities.

“The participant hosted by Beerwah Community Recycling will gain skills in waste management and recycling, including monitoring disposal of waste, stripping electrical equipment, receiving items for recycling and customer service.

“The participant hosted by Hinterland Business Centre will develop their skills in project coordination, customer service, finance, event management and research.”

People wanting to register interest in Green Army projects phone the Green Army hotline on 1800 249 215 or register by visiting www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au.


Media contacts: Minister’s Office –3224 6361 or 3224 5982
                              Hinterland Business Centre – 5499 9911

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