Green Army gets planting

The new Green Army team has joined the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) to put in 300 new plants around the Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park this winter.

GORCC’s conservation supervisor Georgie Beale said the Great Ocean Road coastline and caravan parks were reaping the benefits of conservation work with the Green Army.

The federal government’s Green Army Program is an initiative designed to offer young adults practical skills, training and experience across a variety of different conservation projects.

“Campers and visitors to Lorne this summer will see the inclusion of native species, such as Small-leaved Clematis, Common Appleberry and Coast Tussock Grass,” Ms Beale said.

“With new grass planted in the park, and more landscaping and infrastructure works planned before summer, the park has never looked better.”

Ms Beale said the Green Army program has helped boost conservation efforts along the coast thanks to the significant increase in people power.

“The coast has been a real winner as a result of the Green Army program. It has allowed us to complete important conservation works, which might not have happened due to lack of feet on the ground.”

Other conservation works completed with the Green Army over many sites over the past 12 months – from Torquay through to Aireys Inlet and from Anglesea to Lorne – include woody weed removal, fencing, plant propagation, rubbish removal and track maintenance.

“It’s also just fantastic to see the caravan parks, the coast and the people involved in the Green Army all benefiting from the Green Army Program,” Ms Beale said.

“It also shows what can be achieved along the coastal environment when we work together to explore new partnerships and collaborate wherever practical, regardless of who manages the land.”

GORCC’s conservation team is responsible for the environmental preservation efforts along the coast between Torquay and Lorne with a particular focus on weeds and native vegetation, and collaborating with local community groups and partners.

To get involved in coastal conservation volunteer work, visit GORCC’s website for all the details.