The McGowan Government is set to invest more than $60 million on environmental projects, creating more than 1,000 conservation jobs State-wide as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
The Green Jobs Plan will include $60.3 million over the next three years to support projects that will protect our environment and create jobs, of which $15 million has been allocated to set up a Native Vegetation Rehabilitation Scheme.
In combination with the State’s Offsets Fund for Recovery (OFFR) program, the scheme will target revegetation, habitat restoration and protection of existing vegetation to deliver at-scale environmental outcomes and employment over several years.
The $8 million OFFR program supports conservation groups to carry out on-ground work and will improve habitat for Western Australia’s unique and important flora and fauna, as part of the State’s requirement for delivering environmental offsets.
The program will also provide employment opportunities including fencing, seeding, planting, managing threats, and improving native vegetation and habitat for fauna such as the Carnaby’s cockatoo.
A $2 million investment in fencing to extend the conservation sanctuary at Whiteman Park will create employment opportunities for new contractors.
A further $5 million will be used by Main Roads to improve and increase roadside vegetation in the agricultural region to offset the impacts of roadworks aimed at making our roads safer.
A $3.3 million funding round for conservation work for Pilbara Aboriginal and conservation groups will be made available through the .
The fund combines offset contributions from mining companies to enable strategic conservation programs that improve vegetation and biodiversity outcomes in the Pilbara.
The State’s rivers and estuaries will also benefit from the Green Jobs Plan.
The Swan Canning system will receive an additional $2 million for foreshore protection, while the , announced just last month, will see $25 million invested to improve the health of at-risk regional estuaries in the south-west, creating a number of jobs in those communities.
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As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“The Green Jobs Plan is an important component of our WA Recovery Plan, which will help drive WA’s economic and social recovery across the whole State.
“The plan will support and strengthen our existing conservation industries, as well as laying the foundation for jobs of the future.
“Supporting green jobs makes sense – it helps protect WA’s pristine natural environment, while creating jobs in important and emerging industries.
“By managing and conserving native vegetation we help ensure sustainable and more timely development approvals can be delivered, creating ongoing economic activity.”
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Conservation is a job-creating sector, which is why this Green Jobs Plan is a win-win for the economy and for the environment.
“It is important that Western Australia’s economic recovery works hand in hand with the continued protection of Western Australia’s magnificent environment – which is one of our most precious assets.
“Ensuring our environment is not only protected, but enhanced through our Green Jobs Plan, will place Western Australia in an ideal position for economic recovery post COVID-19.”
