Throughout the 22-week program six young participants sprayed 350ha of harrisia cactus. Despite the wet weather the team exceeded the program’s targets covering seven times more ground than agreed upon with the Federal Government.

Participants worked with eight landholders from which they received high praise.

“We found it to be conducted very professionally and I hope that participants valued their experience because their effort has been most helpful in controlling what is a major pest for us,” said Richard Doyle, one of the landholders who was involved in the project.

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, was also impressed. “I congratulate the Green Army participants, conservation volunteers and North West Local Land Services on the success of this project in the Boggabilla area,” he said.

“Not only have they made significant progress against the fight of harrisia cactus in the area, some of the participants are also now moving onto other employment opportunities which is fantastic news.”

Of the six participants that started, four finished with one moving onto an apprenticeship.

“This program is about helping to get participants to be workforce ready by up-skilling them and giving them some experience in a new industry. NW LLS are proud to have been a part of this,” said Ken Flower, NW LLS general manager.