News

Southern Mallee drought employment program open

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 04:38:00

FARMERS, farm workers and other people severely affected by the drought are being encouraged to get in early for a flexible program offering part-time work opportunities on environmental programs in the southern Mallee.

The Mallee Catchment Management Authority is coordinating the program, which offers work for up to four days a week on jobs such as weed and rabbit control works; watering revegetation sites; fencing native vegetation; improving soil health; GPS mapping of weeds; and riparian revegetation.

Mallee CMA chair Sharyon Peart said the Southern Mallee Drought Employment Program would be based at Birchip, with the flexibility for workers to rotate on and off the program to continue work on their own properties.

“We expect the program will run for between four and six months and the participant numbers will vary,” Ms Peart said.

“It offers people a way to earn some income, but with the flexibility to continue focussing on the important work that still needs to be done on the farm,” Mallee CMA Chair Sharyon Peart said.

Mallee CMA has successfully run both drought and flood employment programs on a similar model and participants have noted their value for themselves, their families and communities.

Birdwoodton fruit grower Angelo Taglierini spent 14 months working throughout the Mallee on a similar program supporting people affected by the 2011 floods.  He said the program was important in many ways.

“It gave me income, and that was certainly important in keeping going and getting the farm back on track – but it also helped me move on from what happened, got me out and about and gave me experiences that I really wouldn’t have had otherwise,” he said.

“It was work that was enjoyable because I was comfortable with it but I was learning, and I was with a completely different group of people in new areas. 

“We would sometimes spend a couple of days away so we got to know each other really well and I have friends I made that I still keep in touch with now.

“It helped financially, but also socially and emotionally.  It was a really enjoyable and rewarding opportunity.”

Ms Peart said limited opportunities were available through the program and applications were now open.

More information and an application pack is available from the Mallee CMA on 5051 4377 or via the website at www.malleecma.vic.gov.au

Applications are now open, with the first employees expected to start before Christmas.