Media release - 21 January
2014 - The Coalition Government has today
moved closer to the launch of the Green
Army with the release of the Draft Statement
of Requirements, setting out the key design
features of the programme as well as the
proposed delivery arrangements.
The Green Army is a
key Coalition election commitment and will
commence from July 2014. This voluntary
initiative will recruit young people aged
17–24 years who are interested in protecting
their local environment while gaining hands-on,
practical skills and experience.
The Green Army will
become Australia’s largest-ever environmental
workforce, building to 15,000 participants
by 2018, capable of delivering on-ground
environmental projects.
The Green Army will
make a real difference to the environment
and local communities through projects such
as restoring and protecting habitat, weeding,
planting, cleaning up creeks and rivers
and restoring cultural heritage places.
Fostering teamwork,
local ownership and community spirit, the
Green Army will deliver tangible benefits
for the environment and skills development
for thousands of young Australians.
The consultation process
now underway provides an opportunity for
all members of the public to provide practical
advice about the on-ground delivery of the
programme including recruitment and training
of participants, project management and
other administrative details. Public comments
are invited until 4 February 2014.
Feedback received on
the Draft Statement of Requirements will
improve the delivery arrangements for this
very important initiative. It will be used
to inform the final content of the Request
for Tender that will be released in the
coming months to invite applications from
potential service providers.
Information for groups
interested in submitting Green Army projects
will be available in the coming weeks. The
Government is committed to start implementing
Green Army projects from July.
We can make the biggest
and most lasting change when we harness
the energy, knowledge and experience of
those working in the field. This is the
start of a process that will make a real
and significant difference to the environment.
The Draft Statement
of Requirements and further information
about the Green Army programme is available
at: www.environment.gov.au/topics/cleaner-environment/clean-land/green-army.
