Up to 500 jobs are up for grabs for locals in North Queensland, after ‘Operation Clean Up’ was
expanded to speed up recovery after Cyclone Yasi.
Member for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt, said the southern portion of the Cairns Regional local government
area was now included in ‘Operation Clean Up’ due to representations by Mr Pitt and other local
elected persons.
“We’ve come a long way in just seven short weeks since Yasi crossed the coast, but we still have a lot
of work to do before we get back to business as usual,” Mr Pitt said.
“Many North Queenslanders have been unable to work their usual jobs because of the effects of
Cyclone Yasi and, with so much clean-up work to do, it just makes sense to use our local workforce,”
he said.
“We want to hear from local machinery contractors, unemployed residents and employees from farms
and tourism businesses who are unable to work because of the cyclone and looking for work.”
Mr Pitt said the devastation caused by Yasi is still being properly assessed and areas eligible for
assistance under this project now include the entire Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook local
government areas, parts of Tablelands, Flinders, Etheridge and Charters Towers local government
areas and the southern portion of Cairns Regional local government area.
“The additional clean up responsibilities will be funded through the $20 million Rural Resilience Fund
and Operation Clean Up will source as many employees from the local area as possible,” Mr Pitt said.
“Offering clean up assistance and work under the scheme is one way to allow locals to help each other
and continue to work without having to leave town.
‘Operation Clean Up’, running since March 1, is part of the $20 million joint Federal-State Government
Rural Resilience Fund which assists primary producers and local businesses with debris clearing.
Mr Pitt added: “Operation Clean Up employees will work in supervised teams, helping to restore local
farming and tourism properties by clearing fallen trees and debris.
“They’ll receive accredited training and will be provided with transport, equipment and protective
clothing.
Operation Clean-up will continue until the end of this year. Those seeking assistance or employment
with ‘Operation Clean Up’ should register as soon as possible by calling the Department of
Employment, Economic Development and Innovation on 13 25 23.
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