CYCLONE–AFFECTED WORKERS RETURN TO THEIR DAY JOBS

Far north Queenslanders recruited after Cyclone Larry to help restore access to the area’s devastated national parks and state forests are returning to their old jobs armed with new skills.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the work program – established with the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations to give paid work to 100 people left jobless after Cyclone Larry – had been a huge success.

“After six months toiling their way through the devastated tracks and trails of North Queensland’s protected areas, the work participants of the Environmental Protection Agency Community Jobs Plan (CJP) have handed in their government jobs and are headed back to private enterprise employment,” the Minister said.

“The benefits to QueenslandParks and Wildlife Service have been immense with many picnic and camping areas re-opened.

“A large number of long distance walking trails are also back on line, at least six months ahead of previous time estimates.

“This project has reduced further economic impact on the local tourism industry and businesses that rely on these national parks,” she said.

Ms Nelson-Carr said she was more than impressed with the work that had been completed by the CJP teams.

“The participants have shown great courage to endure the natural elements (scrub-itch and leeches included), and to methodically work their way through a lot of repair and re-opening work. It’s certainly been no picnic for them”, she said.

“The Government trusts that many of the CJP employees will return to local industries with some improved and new skills.

All CJP participants leave QPWS with construction industry blue card training, First Aid certificates, Level 1 chainsaw tickets and Occupational Health and Safety Training.

“In the long term this can only benefit the North Queensland workforce as they now have better trained people, less likely to hurt or injure themselves on the job.

“This will result in time and money savings for local industries as these people pass on their knowledge to others in the field.

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002