Partnering to restore native vegetation and create jobs in WA

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has appointed Greening Australia as its lead delivery partner coordinating environmental offsets revegetation projects in Western Australia (WA). Greening Australia is co-designing on-ground works and training packages with local stakeholders and delivery partners for projects to run from 2023 through to 2026. 

The new funding agreement between DWER and Greening Australia is part of the McGowan Government’s Green Jobs Plan, a $60.3 million investment in environmental projects as part of the WA Recovery Plan for economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, launched in July 2020.

Paul Della Libera, Director – Great Southern Landscapes & Nature in Cities, Greening Australia said: “The Green Jobs Plan is rehabilitating native vegetation in Western Australia to create hundreds of jobs in regions affected by the pandemic.

“Greening Australia is proud to play a leading role in coordinating projects which will restore the biodiversity values that have been lost through the clearing of native vegetation in these landscapes. These projects will harness local knowledge to deliver high-quality social and environmental outcomes, and will create employment, training and enterprise opportunities for Traditional Owners and rural communities.”

Mt Barker Noongar Rangers on site planting during NAIDOC Week as part of a Green Jobs project in 2021. Credit: Jesse Collins.

Under the Green Jobs Plan, DWER is implementing several initiatives, including the Offsets Funds for Recovery (OFFR) and Native Vegetation Rehabilitation Scheme (NVRS), collectively known as the Environmental Revegetation and Rehabilitation Fund (ERRF). A number of projects have already been completed thanks to funding from the ERRF, including three projects delivered by Greening Australia in 2021.

Collecting seeds to revegetate previously cleared land, now earmarked for habitat restoration. Credit: Jesse Collins.

In its new role as lead delivery partner, Greening Australia will work with partners to deliver revegetation projects across seven key target regions in Southwest Western Australia over the coming years. Plantings from these projects will cover approximately 1,000 hectares, restoring habitat for many local wildlife species, such as the nationally endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. Land managed, maintained, revegetated, or rehabilitated under the Green Jobs Plan will be protected from future clearing.

Projects will work to re-establish habitat for threatened species, such as the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (pictured). Credit: Margaret Owens.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said: “The Green Jobs Plan has already created 398 positions, with around 40 per cent of participants finding continuing employment.

“It’s not only about providing jobs and skills training, but opportunities for First Nations people to have a direct and positive impact on Country. This is an important program as we strive for a sustainable, carbon neutral future.”

All revegetation projects designed as part of this funding agreement will be subject to approval by DWER to ensure the output meets the requirements of legislation and policy. Planning is underway to identify suitable locations and partner organisations for planting projects that will run from 2023 to 2026.

WA landholders interested in being part of this initiative can register their interest via our Land Portal.

Delivery partners interested in being part of this initiative can contact Project Lead Michelle Britto at [email protected].