Queensland’s Green Army is getting ready to take aim at unemployment with millions of dollars worth of jobs projects that will offer greener communities, training and employing up to 3000 Queenslanders.
Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development, Andrew Fraser, said the first round of Green Army projects will be rolled out across Queensland from July 1 – delivering on a key Bligh Government election commitment.
Mr Fraser today announced new Green Army projects for Rockhampton, Ipswich, Beaudesert and Wyaralong Dam.
“Generating and supporting jobs remains the Government’s absolute top priority, ” Mr Fraser said.
“In today’s Budget, the Government has allocated $19 million as part of a three-year $57 million commitment to create the Green Army - 3,000 jobs for Queenslanders on projects that have significant environmental and community benefit.”
“Over $4 million will be invested in this first round of funding for organisations to deliver green projects at more than 25 locations across the State.
“Projects have been proposed for Cape York, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Mackay, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Cherbourg, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Gympie, Dalby, Toowoomba, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Deception Bay, Southport, Burleigh Heads, Logan, Beenleigh and Brisbane.
“A further $3.9 million will allow 300 unemployed people to take up 12-month Green Traineeships in areas such as conservation and land management, horticulture and waste and water management.”
Mr Fraser said the response to the call for Green Army projects from community organisations has been resounding.
“More than 160 organisations have registered their interest in coordinating projects across the state,” he said.
“Organisations have put forward innovative and exciting projects to invigorate our green spaces, support jobseekers and keep Queensland’s economy growing.
“Projects proposed include revegetation, waterway rejuvenation, recycling initiatives, endangered species protection, erosion management, native seed collection and propagation and composting farms.
“We have fast-tracked the approval of five projects - in Ipswich, Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast, Beaudesert and Wyaralong Dam.
“At these locations, participants will be building bikeways, constructing park facilities and undertaking conservation and revegetation among other tasks.
“From July, people will start to see Green Army recruits on the ground in local communities working hard to create a greener Queensland for all of us,” Mr Fraser said.
Queensland’s Green Army will provide paid work and traineeships to up to 3,000 jobseekers through 2,300 Green Work placements and 700 Green Traineeships over three years.
To date, more than 620 people have registered for Green Army work placements and another 325 have registered for Green Traineeships.
For further information visit www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au or call 1800 249 215.
Contact (Treasurer’s office): 3224 6361 or 3224 5982
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