LARGE-scale investment in practical conservation and land management work could provide jobs for thousands of young and unskilled workers in regional communities hard hit by COVID-19, according to a new report.
The Working With Nature report outlines the diverse economic, social and environmental benefits associated with government spending on practical conservation and land management jobs, illustrated with case studies, and outlines opportunities for more investment in hard-hit regional communities.
Based on current economic conditions, conservation values and regional delivery capacity, the report identifies 10 priority regions for a $500 million spend which would create 6690 jobs.
Sale is one of the areas identified as part of a detailed eastern Victoria regional proposal put together by local delivery partners including Landcare and natural resource management bodies.
A $53 million spend in the region would generate $119 million in economic benefits and result in 450 full-time workers employed for up to two years in roles focused on managing invasive species and restoring priority environments, including fire-affected landscapes and waterways.
The report is based on an economic recovery proposal supported by more than 100 conservation, farming and land management organisations, which advocates for thousands of workers to be employed to deliver practical conservation and land management work across the country.
National Landcare Network Australia chief executive Jim Adams said the initiative presented an opportunity to deliver targeted economic recovery support to regional communities, while leaving lasting benefits for the environment, tourism, farm businesses and local communities.
“This would deliver timely, targeted and temporary support for unemployed workers and can be scaled as needed to meet the needs of regional communities, in the context of broader federal and state economic recovery priorities,” he said.
Consistent with the federal government’s planned transition away from economy-wide support measures, the program presented an opportunity to help those most affected by the residual economic impacts of COVID-19, including young people in hard-hit communities.
Pew Charitable Trusts deputy controller Pepe Clarke said for some sectors of the community, recovery would be a slower, longer-term process.
“Youth unemployment remains high in many regional communities, with hundreds of thousands of young people currently out of work,” he said.
“Investment in conservation and land management work provides an opportunity to provide timely and targeted support to vulnerable people in hard hit regions, including youth and unskilled workers.”
In response to COVID-19, states across Australia have announced practical employment creation programs, including Working for Victoria, Western Australia’s Green Jobs Plan and Queensland’s Reef Assist initiative.
NRM Regions Australia executive officer Kate Andrews said the early success of state-funded programs announced in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19, and lessons learnt from previous similar initiatives, provided a strong foundation for more investment as Australia moved into the next phase of its economic recovery.
“This investment would build upon existing federal funding announcements such as Environment Minister Sussan Ley’s investment in Australia’s Commonwealth National Parks and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund,” she said.
“Large-scale investment in conservation and land management will provide enduring benefits for the environment and local communities, helping to ensure that we leave the best possible natural legacy for future generations of Australians.”
