The Mullum Mullum Cultural Heritage Trail will be extended with the help of participants from the Maroondah National Green Jobs Corps.

National Green Jobs Corps is a Federal Government funded youth development program which offers young people a chance to gain quality experience and training while participating in community based projects of significant environmental and cultural heritage.

The Maroondah-based team will work in partnership with Council, Mission Australia Employment Solutions, Melbourne Water, Waterwatch Melbourne, Mullum Mullum Creek Bushcare Group, CRISP Community Nursery and Platypus Conservancy.

Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin, who launched the project last Friday, said the program offered the participants the right balance of work experience, skill development and accredited training

“The 16 participants in the Maroondah team will be working to extend the Mullum Mullum Cultural Heritage Trail, weed removal, revegetation works, water monitoring and flora and fauna surveys,” Cr Makin said.

“They have already created some additional paths, planted new trees and removed a large section of ivy along the creek path,” Cr Makin said.

“The Mullum Mullum area is an integral part of Maroondah and it is great to see that the land and it’s biodiversity is being preserved and enhanced,” Cr Makin said.

“At the same time these participants will undertake a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management at Swinburne TAFE, a Level II First-aid course and herbicide use training.

“In six months the participants will go from being unemployed with limited experience to having nationally recognised qualifications and workplace experience.”

To be eligible for the National Green Jobs Corps program you have to be aged 17-24, unemployed and receiving the Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment.

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