Brough announces three Green Army projects

1. Maleny Community Precinct Rehabilitation and Community Access: Site rehabilitation including weed control and revegetation works and building a public trail network across the site.
2. Dune and Coastal Rehabilitation from Sunshine Beach to the Pumicestone Passage: Reduce weeds across the foreshores; enhance dune stabilisation such as fencing and revegetation works; and bank stabilisation works associated with coastal lagoons.
3. Bells Creek Riparian Rehabilitation Project: Working with farmers to exclude stock from the corridor; weed and feral pig eradication; Pumicestone Passage water mouse habitat protection; feral pig management.

“The Green Army is an exciting development in the way we tackle environmental projects,” said Mr Brough.
“Not only will it actively improve hundreds of sites across the country, but local young people will be able to join the Green Army and get training and learn to work as part of a team.
“Participants will receive a training allowance, as well as gain valuable work skills and potential qualifications in different areas of environmental remediation.
“I hope joining the Green Army will become a rite-of-passage for hundreds of local young people throughout Fisher in the years ahead.
“Joining the Green Army will teach many young people about teamwork, local ownership and about the value of belonging to something greater than yourself.
Mr Brough said the Green Army projects would complement the work of local environmental and landcare groups as well as the environmental work undertaken by councils.
“I am looking forward to working with residents, local environmental groups and local community in identifying projects throughout Fisher that the Green Army can tackle.”
The Alexandra Foreshore Conservation Group, which regularly meets to eradicate weeds and re-vegetate the Bluff, welcomed the concept of Green Army assistance.
“Additional hands will help in the on-going task of improving our Alex coastline,” said Group President Josie Ryan.
“The critical issue of recent concern is stabilisation of the dunes behind Council’s beach nourishment project at the northern end of Alex, one of the weakest links in this area of the Coast. The Alexandra Headland Community Association has also submitted a proposal to Council for a boardwalk connecting Alex and Maroochy beaches, and similar projects have been assisted in the past by the Green Army. It’s refreshing to hear of proposals that will be of practical benefit to our community.”