New Green Army projects to boost Fraser Island conservation

Efforts to maintain the environmental health of Fraser Island will receive a boost under the latest round of Federal Government’s Green Army program.

The Federal Government’s Green Army program aims to address the environmental health of Fraser Island. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

EFFORTS to maintain the environmental health of Fraser Island will receive a boost under the latest round of Federal Government's Green Army program, Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss has announced.

Mr Truss said the decision to approve two projects for Fraser Island reflected the Federal Government's appreciation for the special importance of the island, both locally and internationally.

"As the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island has a special place in the hearts of many locals and indeed, many Australians, and I am very pleased that two projects under Round 4 of the Federal Government's Green Army have been approved for Fraser Island," Mr Truss said.

"These projects will move to address the proliferation of weed species on the Island, which has risen from 40 species to around 200, since its declaration as a World Heritage area. In addition 4WD vehicle travel has caused some displacement in sand and led to some erosion issues in areas of the island.

"The projects will look to remediate weed and erosion issues at Indian Head as well as undertaking track work, weeds management and erosion control on the Great Walk. There will also be opportunities for seed collection and the revegetation of areas with Pandanus trees, to address damage caused by the Jamella Wasp. The intention is to boost biodiversity through propagating native species and removing weeds."

Projects under Round 4 of the Green Army have a particular focus on conserving national and world heritage sites, with 32 of the projects designed to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

There is also a focus on threatened species recovery, with 311 of the new projects supporting threatened species recovery, including 119 projects to help conserve priority threatened species.

The latest projects announced under Round 4 of the Federal Government's Green Army project brings the total number of approved Green Army projects to 1,145 since the programme began in 2014.

The Green Army programme not only benefits the environment, but also provides participants with experience they can use elsewhere in the workforce, as well as the opportunity to gain Certificate I or II qualifications.

Mr Truss said he was pleased to hear reports that several participants under previous rounds of the projects had gone on to gain permanent employment as a result of their experiences working in the Green Army.

"These qualifications will help prepare young Australians for the workforce, with training provided to up to 15,000 young Australians by 2018," he said.

A full list of approved Round Four projects can be found online at: www.australia.gov.au/greenarmy.