News Item

DOWTON PARK WETLAND TRANSFORMED AT YARRAGON

November 29, 2011

Dowton Park Wetland at Yarragon has been transformed after a six month community revegetation project.

Some 13,500 wetland shrubs and trees have been planted, walking trails and interpretative signage installed.

Baw Baw Shire Councillors and staff officially opened the new Dowton Park Wetland on Tuesday October 18 recognising the massive contribution of volunteers and students who worked together to complete the project.

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Councillor, Diane Blackwood, said the wetland reserve was now a wonderful community asset where people can walk the trail whilst enjoying the native flora and fauna.

“As the vegetation thickens it will provide a wonderful habitat for birds and native animals.”

The Mayor thanked Community College Gippsland’s (CCG) National Green Job Corp team for their significant contribution, planting 12,000 trees over the past few months, assisting with erosion and drainage works, weed control and the installation of signage.

“I would also like to thank everyone who attended the opening on such a lovely sunny day and the staff who catered the event,” said the Mayor.

The Commonwealth-funded National Green Job Corp (NGJC) has provided paid work and training for eight young people aged from 17 to 24 years. The team has worked two days a week assisting the Council to restore the wetlands and also attending the College to study a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management. They also received training in First Aid, Red Card and OH&S.

Baw Baw Shire Council Bushland Reserve Project Officer, Lucas Paull, said the Council could not have achieved this result for the wetlands without the work of the National Green Job Corp team.

“The Council provided tools, materials and vegetation and the team undertook the work with supervision.

“VCAL Students from Marist Sion College also made a big contribution planting 1,000 trees, while individuals in the community assisted at community planting days.”

The opening also included the presentation of graduate certificates to the National Green Job Corp participants.

Community College Gippsland NGJC Team leader, Garry Crow, said the participants had gained so much working with the Council putting the theory they learned in the classroom into practice in the real world.

“Through this program, these previously unemployed young people have had the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification and gain practical work and life skills. The projects they work on all contribute to improving communities.”

He said Community College Gippsland had received Commonwealth funding to run another National Green Job Corp team over a six month period starting in November.

“The College is taking expressions of interest from young people aged from 17 to 24 who are eligible for a Centrelink benefit. The next team will continue work with the Baw Baw Shire Council on environmental projects.“

From left: Marist Sion student Trent Christianz, Community College Gippsland trainer Kylie Mumford-Dann, NGJC graduates Billy Joe Irvine and Jess Virgo, Marist Sion students Emily Francis, Liam Alec Adams, Jackson Noonan, Michael Robertson, NGJC Team Leader Garry Crow, Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr. Diane Blackwood and Bushland Reserve Project Officer Lucas Paull

For further information contact:

Jeff Tellefson
Deputy CEO
Community College Gippsland
Ph: 5622 6000