The Palaszczuk Government’s Community Social Enterprise Development Grants have invested in a Townsville landcare project that protects native flora.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills, Di Farmer, today announced the recipients of the grants.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare is a community group committed to the preservation and restoration of native vegetation and supports disadvantaged people.
“The ‘Bush Care nursery’ propagates and supplies native stock to councils, local businesses and the community, with a special focus around understanding the connection to country and caring for country,” Mr Stewart said.
“The grant will be used to update equipment, enabling the employees to gain the latest technological skills relevant to nursery operations and improve their job prospects.”
Minister Farmer said social enterprises played an important role.
“All up our Community Social Enterprise Development Grants have committed more than $600,000 through 36 grants to social enterprises across the state including Coastal Dry Tropics in Townsville,” Minister Farmer said.
“Getting communities and local economies on track for future growth are important goals of the Palaszczuk Government’s $14.2 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“The recovery plan places a focus on backing small businesses and investing in skills, and many social enterprises – like the Healthy Eating Takeaway and Green Care Cairns – are doing both. That’s why we will deliver $3 million worth of grants to the sector as part of our Social Enterprise Jobs Fund.
“The Community Social Enterprise Development Grants are the first to be awarded through the fund, and applications for the next grants – our Social Enterprise Growth Grants – are open from today.
“Across the state, social enterprises are providing needed services and products for the wider community, which in turn provide jobs and training opportunities. Growing this sector will provide more support and benefits to people across Queensland.”
