Young people are set to help restore and preserve the unique Normanville Heritage Sand Dunes under a Green Corps program being launched in the Fleurieu Peninsula region by leading community services group, Mission Australia, in partnership with the Yankalilla District Council and Surfrider Foundation.

Mission Australia’s State Manager Mark Herselman said the Normanville Heritage Dunes are a vital ecological and recreational landscape.

“The project will focus on the preservation of coastal biodiversity in the dune system and the adjacent Bungala River and Carrickalinga Creek,” Mr Herselman said.

“Mission Australia is very pleased to be involved in a program of such environmental and cultural importance, which will also of course provide valuable training for local young people,” he said.

The 26 week Normanville Heritage Sand Dune Rehabilitation project, to involve ten local participants aged from 17-20 years old, is expected to this month (February 2007).

It will also work closely with the Department of Environment and Heritage’s Coastal Protection Branch, Yankalilla Catchment Management Group, Yankalilla R12 Area School, Rapid Bay Primary School and youth organisations.

The project will include:

• installing fences to protect habitat and cultural places
• closing and rehabilitating walking trails
• boardwalk construction
• surveying plants and identifying weed infestations
• controlling environmental weeds
• propagating native plants for the dunes, and
• revegetating sand dunes

Green Corps is an Australian Government youth development and environmental training program, administered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Heritage.

It provides young people with the opportunity to volunteer their time and effort to conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

Participants receive a training allowance, uniforms, safety equipment and nationally accredited training (Certificate 2 in Horticulture, Senior First Aid Certificate) in return for their commitment.

The Normanville sand dunes are estimated to be around 5,000 years old and represent the last major remnants of dunes that existed along the coast of Gulf St Vincent. They extend 2.5 kms either side of Bungala Creek from Carrickalinga to Lady Bay.

“We’re expecting strong interest from young people wanting to be involved in the project,” Mr Herselman said. “This is a great opportunity for them to develop a range of skills and knowledge from environmental protection and management to cultural heritage and team building.”

For more information, please contact:

Mark Herselman, Mission Australia State Manager, (08) 8218 2800 or 0403 183 002 or Chris Rann, Rann Communication, (08) 8211 7771