It takes the right people in the right place with the right skills to implement Healthy Estuaries WA , and creating job opportunities in regional communities is part of our collaborative model. Since the program started in 2020, it has supported jobs for 69 people, with a full-time equivalent load of 21 people across the two years.
In July 2020, the State Government announced a Green Jobs Plan that will create more than 1,000 jobs over three years to help our state’s economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic while achieving environmental outcomes.
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation recovery program manager Danielle Eyre said the plan is comprised of projects that protect the state’s pristine environment and is driven by a clear and direct commitment to create more conservation jobs in Western Australia.
“The Green Jobs Plan provides pathways to support Aboriginal employment on Country, providing significant opportunities for young and unskilled workers, particularly in regional areas, to gain training in environmental rehabilitation and conservation on Country,” Danielle said.
“With a focus on sustainable jobs, there is a huge opportunity to protect the natural environment and promote growth in green jobs, maintain and enhance the state’s land, water and biodiversity assets and regenerate native vegetation.
“The six-monthly data collected provides a demographic breakdown of the number of jobs created for vulnerable people, including Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, women and young people.”
Healthy Estuaries WA coordinator Jennifer Stritzke said that working with local catchment groups that employ on-ground staff is key to the success of the program.
“Our partnerships with catchment groups are critical to achieve on-ground outcomes for our waterways. Catchment officers in the regions work closely with farmers to improve water quality and the health of our estuaries,” Jennifer said.
“Since 2020 across the Peel, South West and Great Southern Regions, Healthy Estuaries WA has created jobs for 69 people with a fairly even gender mix of 36 women and 33 men.
“Through the program we have a strong network with our catchment group partners and provide regular training and capacity building opportunities.”
Healthy Estuaries WA is one of three programs managed by DWER under the Green Jobs Plan, with others being the Environmental Revegetation and Rehabilitation Fund (Offsets Funds for Recovery and Native Vegetation Rehabilitation Scheme); and Pilbara Environmental Offsets Fund extension.
