In 2021 EcoCrews™ received $2.1 million from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund to complete vital bushfire regeneration activities over 12 months. This initiative is strengthening the local community by providing employment and training opportunities for local disadvantaged people and engaging with local community groups.

We developed a program model in partnership with the Eurobodalla Shire and Bega Valley Shire councils, not-for-profit organisation hosts, a training provider, and our Funder, the Department of Regional NSW. The initiative included:

  • Well equipped EcoCrews of 6-person work Crews (plus an experienced Team Supervisor) able to do a wide range of environmental activities
  • Project Planning, including environmental consultation and project design
  • Project Management including recruitment, on boarding, Crew supervision, operational management and WHS assessments and compliance (ISO WHS 45001 Accredited)
  • Accredited training provided by a Registered Training Provider – Fusion Walan Miya
  • Indigenous Knowledge Transfer events provided by local Indigenous Knowledge Holders
  • Additional support services including Indigenous Mentoring by the local Barranggirra Mentor

CREW DEMOGRAPHICS

We are experts at assembling local, diverse workforces. The demographics of our current EcoCrews includes:

  • 24% identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • 50% identifying as female
  • Average age of less than 25 years

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES COMPLETED

To date, this program is meeting targets (including exceeding environmental targets by 227%), set by the funding body, currently running 3 months ahead of schedule and under budget. Types of activities completed include:

  • 3,250 plants installed to revegetate a wildlife corridor in Coila, NSW, supporting koala habitat restoration
  • Environmental weeds manually and chemically removed across 14ha along coastal trails in Surf Beach, NSW
  • 20 ha of dune rehabilitation completed along Merimbula Main Beach, NSW including manual and chemical weed removal and replanting of native trees, shrubs and grasses

EcoCrews is a social enterprise of Campbell Page. Learn more by visiting www.ecocrews.org.au