The Australian Government is calling for more local people to join the Green Army to work on local projects that will make a real difference to our environment in the Great Lakes area.

Applications for projects under Round 4 of the Green Army programme are now open for projects within the Paterson electorate region.

“We want local people to join the Green Army to work on local projects in our community, and we want local groups to come forward with ideas for projects,” said Mr Baldwin, Federal Member for Paterson.

“Community organisations, Landcare groups, natural resource management organisations, environment groups, Indigenous organisations, local councils and others can now nominate for a new Green Army project that has a clear focus on conservation of the environment or National or World Heritage places.”

“For young Australians aged between 17 and 24, joining the Green Army means you’ll receive valuable practical experience and training while undertaking work that will improve the environment in our local community,” Mr Baldwin told Myall Coast News.

Round Four of the Green Army will consist of two streams. Stream 1 will focus on heritage projects that promote, protect and conserve Australia’s National and World Heritage which are listed for their natural, historic or Indigenous values.

Stream 2 will focus on projects that directly support the protection and recovery of threatened species, particularly actions for improving habitat.

Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said the Green Army encourages practical action to support local environment and conservation projects across Australia and will provide training to thousands of young Australians by 2018.

“Right across Australia, the Green Army is making a real difference to the environment and local communities through projects such as restoring and protecting habitat, weeding, planting, cleaning up creeks and rivers and restoring cultural heritage places,” Minister Hunt said.

Minister hunter told Myall Coast News that the Green Army will become Australia’s largest-ever team supporting environmental action across the country, building to 15,000 young Australians by 2018.

The Green Army is a major Government commitment with more than $700 million budgeted over four years.

This investment in the Green Army brings the Government’s total investment in natural resource management to more than $2 billion over four years.

Applications for projects under Round Four of the programme are now open and will close at 2pm AEST (Canberra time) on Wednesday, 16 September 2015.

Information sessions about how to get involved in the Green Army are running throughout August across Australia. They are an opportunity to find out about how to apply for a project under Round Four.

For more information about Round 4 including eligibility, project guidelines and application form and the full schedule of community information sessions go to www.australia.gov.au/greenarmy.