Between 20 and 40 workers affected by SPC-Ardmona's announcement it will cut its fruit intake are expected to be employed through the Fruit Industry Employment Program.
Between 20 and 40 workers affected by SPC-Ardmona's announcement it will cut its fruit intake are expected to be employed through the Fruit Industry Employment Program.
Last Friday (June 14) the Victorian Government announced $2 million of funding for an employment program to be delivered by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
Goulburn Broken Catchment CMA's CEO Chris Norman said the Fruit Industry Employment Program would be very similar to the drought and flood recovery employment programs the Goulburn Broken CMA had run in the past.
"We are still fine-tuning the details but the program will be up and running by August," Mr Norman said. "We will advertise for orchardists and orchard workers who will be unemployed or under-employed as a result of the fruit intake cuts, to apply for the positions. "
Mr Norman said program participants would be offered work on conservation management projects, identified by the Goulburn Broken CMA and partner agencies, that aligned with priorities outlined in the Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy.
About 100ha of weed control and 20km of fencing are expected to be completed by program participants. Other tasks to be carried out along waterways and wetlands in and around the Lower Goulburn region may include infrastructure work such as signage, repairs and nest box construction. Workers will also have access to relevant training.
"Employing growers and workers affected by the fruit intake cuts to carry out environmental works during this transition stage will help keep these skilled people in our communities, build capacity and future employment options through training programs, increase people's understanding and appreciation of the value of protecting environmental assets, and keep fruit growers gainfully employed while longer term agricultural adjustment decisions are made," Mr Norman said.
"Importantly too, during a time of uncertainty and change, the program will encourage people to mix with others and talk about and share their experiences, rather than feel isolated and forgotten."
Mr Norman said details of how to apply for Fruit Industry Employment Program positions would be advertised in local media shortly.
20km of fencing will be completed by fruit industry employment program participants