Conservation Volunteers Australia -CVA is the training organisation contracted to build the track that will encircle the town of Bridport.  Program Manager, Judy Barnett, and  Team Leaders Tim Jensen, and Nicholas Shuter, have been employed to facilitate the project.

The Walking Track Extension project is an exciting value-added training opportunity for 30 participants to learn skills and experience in track work construction. They will receive a training wage, and accredited training in Certificate II in Conservation Land Management.  The project will run for 40 weeks and involves a 3 day per week commitment from each trainee.  The certificate is nationally recognised, and will prepare trainees for pathways to employment in a range of “Green Jobs”  including Parks and Rec, Parks and Wildlife, Groundskeepers, Viticulture, Horticulture, Landscape Gardening,  Agriculture, Forestry.  78 % of the funds for the project come from the Federal Government Jobsfund Round 2.

Once completed, the track will offer walkers and nature enthusiasts commanding views over Anderson Bay and the mountain ranges beyond. The track experience will take hikers through varied and contrasting natural features including coastal landscapes, beaches and wildflower reserves,  river and forest sections, and there are historic features to ensure a multi faceted experience for tourists and locals alike.

Judy Barnett preparing to blaze a new trail in Bridport, Tasmania

There is to be a recruiting session at the Bridport RSL on Friday 3rd September at 10.30am and all interested participants are welcome to attend.

The project start date is set for Monday 13th September, 2010.

Text: Judy Barnett
Photos: Mark Wright