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Latrobe Local News:
Bush Crew beautifies Latrobe City

Workers found new employment after losing their jobs during the pandemic through beautification of Latrobe City.

By Portal Admin - 15th September 2020 - Back to News

If there is any good to come out of COVID-19, it is the fact Latrobe City will be beautified by an army of workers who have found new employment after losing their jobs during the pandemic.

Latrobe City Council is employing up to 68 people who lost their usual jobs – most of them from across Gippsland - as part of the Victorian State Government’s Working for Victoria program.

Of these, 32 are members of Bush Crew, workers dedicated to environmental works across Latrobe City.

They will plant more than 15,000 grasses, shrubs and trees; spread 300m3 of mulch on new garden beds, and have filled 20 truck-loads and 17 trailer-loads of grass clippings, prunings and tree limbs for green waste recycling.

They have removed a further five truck-loads of garbage from waterways and surrounding bush, and recovered 20 shopping trolleys from public land. Another 30 were reported and collected by retailers and 100 trolleys were sent for recycling.

While they are earning income, these workers are able to pay their mortgages, rent and bills, and spend money locally. However, the economic benefits do not stop there. The Bush Crew program has resulted in Council ordering $19,200 worth of equipment from local suppliers, including brushcutters, loppers, rakes and plant stock.

Bush Crew member, Billie Killoran, is an Environmental Works Supervisor and is grateful for the opportunity to work.

"It was quite tough being unemployed. I’m normally a full-time worker. This has been fantastic getting out and leading a team and doing what I’m passionate about, which is beautifying the environment," she said.

"We’re putting native plants back into landscapes that have been neglected for some time and the community has been giving us some positive feedback."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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