Extra manpower for rural projects
The Wimmera is set to benefit from a State Government project to create 80 full time equivalent jobs in agriculture across the state.
The move will establish 20 new jobs in the region as part of land and pest-management projects while providing employment opportunities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wimmera and Glenelg are among five catchment management authorities set to benefit from the job creation projects.
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority chief executive David Brennan said the new jobs would focus on projects that provided benefit for farmers and the wider agricultural industry.
“The jobs will be throughout the Wimmera – we’ll be working with a range of partners and community organisations to identify sustainable agricultural projects,” he said.
“We know in the Wimmera a number of industries have been hit hard by COVID-19, particularly the hospitality industry.
“It will be a great outcome for agriculture. It will give people affected by COVID-19 an employment opportunity and they’ll learn new skills on the journey.”
Mr Brennan said workers would be employed short-term with the hope of fostering long-term interest in agriculture.
“No prior experience is necessary. We’re after a strong level of enthusiasm to participate and work with the agricultural sector and broader community,” he said.
“We’re going to provide the participants training in agriculture – a range of skills that will be attractive to employers in the Wimmera.
“Workers will be employed for six months. Some people might transition into agriculture full-time.”
Mr Brennan said the jobs would centre on helping agricultural landholders with land-management projects involving revegetation and weed control.
“We’ll be focusing on sustainable agriculture outcomes, such as controlling pest weeds and animals, spraying nuisance weeds or pest plants, controlling rabbits or foxes,” he said.
“If we remove the weeds it’s good for agriculture but also the environment, so we have a win-win scenario.”
Mr Brennan said having a larger workforce meant CMA could focus on projects it was previously unable to carry out.
“We didn’t have the human power or workforce to address these issues before,” he said.
“We know and it’s well documented that pest plants and animals cost agriculture millions of dollars a year, whether that’s foxes taking sheep, rabbit damage or erosion.”
Agriculture and Regional Development minister Jaclyn Symes said creating jobs was crucial to keep the Victorian economy moving as the government gradually eased restrictions.
Successful applicants will be matched with positions through Working for Victoria, the government program helping jobseekers find work and employers find workers during the pandemic.
The $50-million Agriculture Workforce Plan is designed to support businesses in regional, rural and outer metropolitan areas within key agriculture and food processing industries through job matching, case management, worker relocation needs and transport and training.