Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
RIVERBANK REVITALISATION CONTINUES IN ROCKHAMPTON
The Fitzroy Riverbank is being given a face-lift, thanks to the efforts of five Rockhampton trainees and a $70,000 grant from the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Greening Australia Rockhampton is co-ordinating the development project, which provides
12 months’ paid work and accredited training to the five participants.
“The Rockhampton riverbank is a valuable public resource and its development in an environmentally-friendly manner benefits the community as a whole,” Mr Mickel said.
“Despite unemployment being at a 30-year low of 3.8 per cent in Queensland, some people are still having difficulty finding work.
“It is pleasing that five locals are being assisted into the workforce through this project.
“Catherine Crawford is a capable 31-year-old mother-of-two, whose love for the environment is complemented by skills in landscaping, carpentry and welding.
“Kathleen Housman, 23, has a host of skills including turfing, fencing, gardening, plant identification and has already completed a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management and a Certificate II in Horticulture.
“Twenty-year-old Chris Bell has a keen desire to learn and prior completion of a Certificate I in Horticulture further inspired his love of working with plants.
“The fourth trainee involved in the riverbank redevelopment is 25-year-old Luke Hagarty, who holds various industry certificates and whose varied experience stems from roles as a horticulturist, fencer and general labourer.
“Matthew McLarty is the youngest of the participants, but at 16 he has already undertaken lawn mowing and maintenance for several clients and has experience as a groundsman, handyman and nursery hand, “said Mr Mickel.
Greening Australia Rockhampton Regional Manager Ted Callanan said all the trainees will also study with Greening Australia towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management, to complement their practical work.
“One of the main aims of this project is for trainees to assist with the rehabilitation of disturbed natural ecosystems along the riverbank via seed collection and propagation, weed and erosion control and soil stabilisation.
“Public recreational use of the area is also important, so the construction of walking tracks with appropriate signage will be part of the project,” said Ted.
Greening Australia Queensland Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation which develops and delivers ecologically sustainable solutions to a variety of environmental challenges facing the state.
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Greening Australia Regional Manager Ted Callanan on 4923 7542
or tcallanan@qld.greeningaustralia.org.au
Ministerial contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
November 15, 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Greening Australia Rockhampton is co-ordinating the development project, which provides
12 months’ paid work and accredited training to the five participants.
“The Rockhampton riverbank is a valuable public resource and its development in an environmentally-friendly manner benefits the community as a whole,” Mr Mickel said.
“Despite unemployment being at a 30-year low of 3.8 per cent in Queensland, some people are still having difficulty finding work.
“It is pleasing that five locals are being assisted into the workforce through this project.
“Catherine Crawford is a capable 31-year-old mother-of-two, whose love for the environment is complemented by skills in landscaping, carpentry and welding.
“Kathleen Housman, 23, has a host of skills including turfing, fencing, gardening, plant identification and has already completed a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management and a Certificate II in Horticulture.
“Twenty-year-old Chris Bell has a keen desire to learn and prior completion of a Certificate I in Horticulture further inspired his love of working with plants.
“The fourth trainee involved in the riverbank redevelopment is 25-year-old Luke Hagarty, who holds various industry certificates and whose varied experience stems from roles as a horticulturist, fencer and general labourer.
“Matthew McLarty is the youngest of the participants, but at 16 he has already undertaken lawn mowing and maintenance for several clients and has experience as a groundsman, handyman and nursery hand, “said Mr Mickel.
Greening Australia Rockhampton Regional Manager Ted Callanan said all the trainees will also study with Greening Australia towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management, to complement their practical work.
“One of the main aims of this project is for trainees to assist with the rehabilitation of disturbed natural ecosystems along the riverbank via seed collection and propagation, weed and erosion control and soil stabilisation.
“Public recreational use of the area is also important, so the construction of walking tracks with appropriate signage will be part of the project,” said Ted.
Greening Australia Queensland Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation which develops and delivers ecologically sustainable solutions to a variety of environmental challenges facing the state.
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving employment and training assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Greening Australia Regional Manager Ted Callanan on 4923 7542
or tcallanan@qld.greeningaustralia.org.au
Ministerial contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir on 3235 4060
November 15, 2007