First Green Army project announced for Higgins

11-August-2010

A Coalition Government will rejuvenate and revegetate Gardiners Creek as part of its Green Army policy.
The project was one of a number of ideas discussed with local environment and sustainability groups in Higgins at a meeting I convened recently. Groups represented included Friends of Gardiners Creek, Yarra Riverkeepers Association, Green Thumbs, Lighter Footprints for our Future, Boroondara Sustainability Network, Sustainability in Stonnington and Families for a Safe Climate.
The Green Army is the Coalition's plan to establish a workforce of up to 15,000 people dedicated to local environmental projects across the country.
Having a ready-to-go environmental workforce that can target our most degraded areas and other important environmental projects will build on the existing work currently being carried out by dedicated local volunteers such as the Friends of Gardiners Creek.
This project includes the rejuvenation of the trail as well as the revegetation of local flora and fauna along Gardiners Creek.
The benefits of this project are significant and include the opportunity for the community to learn about the sustainable development of waterways and about indigenous flora and fauna. We want to encourage pride in the natural environment of Higgins and make Gardiners Creek an even better place for cyclists, families and nature enthusiasts.
There is no doubt that we need to do more to protect our native flora and fauna and address environmental degradation and it is important that we tackle this challenge on every level, including the local level.