Thursday 26 February 2015

Protection and restoration of local foreshores and flagship heritage properties and gardens will be ramped up thanks to two new Green Army projects in Dunkley.

The Mt Eliza Coastal Walk and Indigenous Vegetation Project, and a project by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to maintain and improve garden, building and native vegetation at flagship Mornington Peninsula properties have been successful in Round 2 of the Green Army Programme.

Under the Commonwealth Government programme, teams of up to ten 17-24 year olds will deploy to the sites for up to six months to help deliver local conservation outcomes.

The program provides a fantastic opportunity for young Australians to gain training and experience in environmental and conservation fields and explore careers in conservation management, and I encourage young Dunkley residents to apply.

I am delighted that the Mt Eliza Coastal Walk and Indigenous Vegetation Project, which will support the efforts of local friends groups in protecting Mount Eliza foreshore and other areas of foreshore around the Mornington Peninsula, has been successful.

As part of the project, the Green Army will assist dedicated local citizens in carrying out weed control, re-vegetation and minor path maintenance and construction, heritage restoration, fauna habitat works and monitoring at the foreshores.

We have some significant heritage properties in Mornington Peninsula that we need to cherish and protect, and the National Trust of Australia’s project will see maintenance and restoration at a number of sites.
This will include:
• Removal of agricultural fencing at Endeavour Fern Gully and Mulberry Hill
• Maintenance of native vegetation at Endeavour Fern Gully and Mulberry Hill
• Development of interpretation pathway access at Endeavour Fern Gully
• Native species monitoring at Endeavour Fern Gully
• Heritage garden and building maintenance at Mulberry Hill
• Site invigilation as part of birthday events for Peter Weir’s ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ (40yrs).

These two projects add to the two which were successful in Round 1 of the programme, with one underway and the other expected to begin in coming weeks. These include the Mt Eliza Linear Reserves and Access & Fuel Management Project, and the Foreshore & Natural Reserve Connections -Frankston- Weed Control & Habitat Works.

Applications are also now open for community organisations, environment groups and local councils in Dunkley to come forward with new projects for Round 3. Further information, project guidelines, and the application are available at: www.environment.gov.au/green-army

Young Australians can apply to the Green Army through the appointed Service Providers for Victoria. Contact details for Service Providers are available from www.environment.gov.au/land/green-army/service-providers .