Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

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

If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here

• Latrobe City Releases Draft Investment Roadmap for Comment
  Latrobe City Investment Roadmap - ready for public comment.
• Latrobe City Council named an Employer of Choice
  Latrobe City Council, recognised as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2020.
• Latrobe City Libraries Sensitive Santa Sessions embraced by Community
  Quiet, gentle introduction to Santa for children with sensory needs.
• Latrobe City Advocates for Additional COVID-19 Testing Resources
  Additional COVID testing resources to assist in reducing the lengthy delays requested.
• Latrobe City Gift Card set to Bolster Local Business
  Shop local - your buck stops here.
• Latrobe Valley Schools Share in $6.59 Million Maintenance Funds Boost
  108 schools across Latrobe Valley to benefit from maintenance works carried out at their school.
• Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland Clubs Score Sport Grants
  Sport Grants awarded to Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland clubs.
• Latrobe Valley Back to Work Scheme - Northe
  Considerations to reinstate Latrobe Valley Back to Work Scheme.
• Latrobe Valley Receives Vital Recovery Funding
  Chambers of Commerce and Trader Groups provide critical advice, connections and resources to businesses in the Latrobe Valley and these grants will be crucial in helping them to support members’ transition to COVID Normal.
• Announcement of New Latrobe City Councillors
  New-look Latrobe City Council.
• Latrobe Valley Reserves Score Funding for Lighting Boost
  Transformation and improved amenity with $1,046,109 from Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
• Labor’s Bushfire Recovery ‘Plan’ Long Overdue
  Rolling old money up in a new press release delivers nothing for families, businesses and communities in East Gippsland and north east Victoria hit by January’s catastrophic bushfires.
• Kinders in the Latrobe Valley Get Tech Savvy with New Gear
  $1.1 million in technology grants for kindergartens.
• West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Business Chambers Receive Vital Funding
  Funding from Grants for Business Chambers and Trader Groups awarded.
• West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Children Embrace Reading at Home
  Congratulations to schools that participated in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
• New Infrastructure for Latrobe Regional Hospital
  Hospitals across the state will receive the latest life-saving medical equipment and upgrading vital infrastructure.
• Funding for More Latrobe Valley Community Projects
  Upgrades to community meeting spaces in Glengarry and Morwell with nearly $200,000 fund.
• Labor Giving City Projects a Leg Up, but Forcing Country Communities to their Knees
  Tangled red and green tape makes it too difficult for people to develop in regional Victoria.
• Traralgon Renewable Energy Project Supported by Latrobe City Council
  Renewable energy project at Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House.
• Program to Reconnect the Latrobe Valley with Jobs
  Latrobe Valley people to receive help to re-join the workforce in a $47 million Reconnect expansion program.
• Grants to Keep West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Creatives Working
  West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley artists and creative businesses to receive a lifeline from the Victorian Government.
• Covid-19 Testing in Latrobe Needs Ramping up
  Drive through and mobile testing options within the Latrobe Valley urged.
• New Energy and Growth Program for the Latrobe Valley
  Latrobe Valley Energy and Growth Program (LVEGP) is now open for applications.
• $436,839 Awarded to West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley to Boost Safety and Employment
  31 projects sharing in more than $5.6 million in funding under the 2020-21 Community Safety Infrastructure Grants
• Supporting Early Stage Latrobe Valley Businesses
  Over $1.9 million in funding from the Business and Industry Capability Fund to support early stage businesses in the Latrobe Valley.
• Grants Open to Help West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley Schools Build Inclusion
  All inclusive playground and outdoor learning spaces soon.
• Building & Improving Kindergartens in the Latrobe Valley for the Future
  Victoria rolls out funded universal Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
• Celebrating Children’s Week in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley with Community Grants
  $100,000 fund to local communities across Victoria to host fun and free educational activities and events during this year’s Children’s Week celebrations.
• Helping Sport and Active Recreation Organisations in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley Survive and Thrive
  Six grants under Community Sport Sector COVID-19 Short-term Survival Package announced.
• Supporting Our Music Industry in the Latrobe Valley
  Survival grants for local live music venues and new grants to protect music jobs on stage.
• New Initiative Opens Cultural Doors for Locals
  Distance and transport will no longer be a barrier for Latrobe Valley residents wanting to attend cultural events in the regional city.
• Early Works Underway for Car Parks in the Latrobe Valley
  Tests underway to determine feasibility of the eight preferred sites in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon.
• Victorian Timber Workers an Endangered Species under Labor
  Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014 will do nothing to protect jobs.
• New Campaign Celebrates the Elderly
  Positive attitudes towards ageing and senior citizens in Latrobe City.
• New Lights Brighten the Way at Traralgon Reserves
  New lighting will make people feel safe.
• New VicHealth Funding Available
  $2.5 million in new funding to support local organisations to address the immediate health and wellbeing concerns of Victorians hardest hit by the impact coronavirus pandemic.
• New Paths lead to Improved Community Access
  Construction has started on a new path along Storey Street in Wonthaggi, between Wentworth Road and Korumburra Road.
• New Paths lead to Improved Community Access
  Construction has started on a new path along Storey Street in Wonthaggi, between Wentworth Road and Korumburra Road.
• Local Choir Creates Connection and Celebration across Latrobe Valley
  Inventive virtual choir promoting social connection and fun through music in the Latrobe Valley.
• New Federal funds could open the floodgates to Big Buffalo
  Victoria must seize the opportunity to build Big Buffalo and boost water security for irrigators in the northeast after the Federal Budget delivered an unprecedented $2 billion for water infrastructure
• A New Home for the Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre
  PICAL’s current site is set to be the site for the new Phillip Island Community Hospital.
• New Agriculture Minister Will Have a Full Plate Over Summer
  Lack of leadership on key challenges affecting farmers and regional communities.
• New Business Penalties and Rules raise concern
  Strong penalties and rules that now apply for booking arrangements in Regional Victoria.
• New look Morwell Rose Festival to Go Ahead
  Annual celebration of the stunning blooms of Morwell’s Centenary Rose Garden will push thru.
• New Addition to Cowes Footpath Network
  $90,000 project will take around four weeks to complete under the Aspirational Pathways Program.
• New Regional COVID Rules a Mixed Bag
  Mixed views on COVID-19 restrictions for Regional Victorians.
• New CFA Station for Winnindoo
  Winnindoo Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer fire station in the Wellington Shire will be under the $126 million CFA capability funding.
• Building Better, Safer Schools in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley
  Vital maintenance and safety works delivery to over 400 schools.
• More Testing Facilities Needed in Latrobe
  Enhanced testing capacities in the Latrobe Valley urged.
• Launch of New look 2020 International Rose Garden Festival Morwell
  Launch of International Rose Garden Festival Morwell
• Dancers in the Running for National Award
  Latrobe City dancers has made the finals of the Australian Dance Awards.
• Nominate a Top Senior
  Latrobe City Senior Citizen of the Year award, now open for nominations.
• More Mental Health Support for Students in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley
  Access to the school-based mental health support for secondary students soon.
• Council Elects New Mayor and Deputy Mayor
  Councillor Sharon Gibson is the new Mayor of Latrobe City
• Supporting Small-Scale School Building Projects in West Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley
  Important upgrades to Victorian schools.
• Lighting Gives New Life to Traralgon Parks
  New lighting funded.
• Liberal Nationals Release New Plan to get Victorians Back to Work and Back in Business
  Victoria needs a bold plan.
• Volunteers to Offer Disaster Relief
  Volunteers are helping Latrobe City recover from the impacts of the bushfire.