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Coalition’s green army to deliver local environmental outcomes in Farrer
28-January-2010
28 January 2010
Coalition’s green army to deliver local environmental outcomes in Farrer
Federal Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, has welcomed the announcement of a major Coalition initiative to establish a workforce of up to 15,000 people dedicated to local environmental projects across the country.
Opposition leader Tony Abbott has announced that the Coalition, if returned to government at the next election, will establish a green army, made available on an ongoing basis, to tackle the local and regional environmental priorities.
“This initiative will aim to deliver outcomes right where they are needed – on the ground,” said Ms Ley.
“In the Farrer electorate there are genuine concerns about populations of feral goats, the control of invasive native scrub (woody weeds) and the regeneration of lands which have suffered from soil erosion caused by high winds and long term drought.
“Our catchment management authorities do a terrific job, providing the link between a healthy environment and productive agriculture and communities. They could certainly use this sort of help, particularly after facing massive budget cuts from the Rudd government.
“If weeds and feral animals are to be controlled, and our rivers are to be revived, a large standing environmental workforce is required. The ‘green army’ would be Australia’s first engagement of large numbers of people on behalf of the environment.”
Ms Ley says that “a ready environmental workforce set to target the most degraded areas, and other environmental projects, would compliment the existing work carried out by community volunteers.
“This initiative will be the next step in addressing environmental problems in our rangelands as well as ensuring the protection of our native flora and fauna.”
“There is no doubt that we need to do more. A ‘green army’ will build on our ability to act.”
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