Front: Laura, Justin, team leader Jennifer Howe, Anthony, Simon. Back: Scott, Bec, MP Tony Smith, mayor Tim Heenan and Glen.
By Melissa Donchi
YARRA Valley youth will get their hands dirty under a new Federal Government Green Corp initiative that aims to restore the banks of streams across the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
Casey MP Tony Smith said the project, Connecting Friends Across the Shire of Yarra Ranges, would be managed by Conservation Volunteers Australia and would restore several banks in the shire, particularly along Olinda Creek.
“The program provides young people with an opportunity to conserve, preserve and restore our natural environment and cultural heritage,” Mr Smith said.
“The project gives young people experience in projects focusing on areas where environmental conservation work is required and where environmental conservation is a high priority.”
Mr Smith said the sites along Olinda Creek and throughout the Yarra Ranges would be restored through tree plantings, weed eradication, erosion control and revegetation and that steps and tracks would also be constructed and water quality tests carried out.
“The Indigenous Dream Trail at the Worawa Aboriginal School will also be enhanced and participants will learn about the bush tucker at the sites,” Mr Smith said.
“Not only will 2000 seeds and trees be planted during the project, but our young people will gain practical and employable skills including environmental restoration, the ability to conduct flora surveys, weed eradication and track construction.”
Mr Smith said about 17,000 young people had participated in more than 1700 Green Corps projects around Australia.
“As a result of Green Corps, more than 14 million trees have been propagated and planted, 8000 kilometres of fencing erected and more than 50,000 hectares of weeds removed,” Mr Smith said.
“It is a fantastic program that shows what a valuable asset our young people actually are.”
