More Jobs for Indigenous Horticulturalists in Queensland

Media release - Minister Wyatt

The Morrison Government is backing the Indigenous horticulture sector with a job-creating investment of $196,500 to Bundaberg-based Gidarjil Development Corporation Limited.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the funding will help Gidarjil expand and deliver much needed sustainable work.

“We know that Indigenous businesses are more likely to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and so always look to maximise our investments to benefit Indigenous communities,” Minister Wyatt said.

“Gidarjil have been looking to grow and thanks to this grant they will be able to take on more people and access new markets in the horticulture industry. With a wider offering, other companies in the horticulture industry seeking to bring an Indigenous business into their supply chain will have more local options to do so.”

The funding will purchase a new glass house and a plant-grow chamber, increasing their capacity and improving the sustainability of their Greentime Nursery.

Member for Flynn, Ken O’Dowd MP, said Gidarjil has a strong commitment to Central Queensland.

“Gidarjil is a great local enterprise that offers real opportunities for Indigenous job seekers,” Mr. O’Dowd said.

“Horticulture is a multi-billion sector, employing tens of thousands of Australians and we want more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses involved in the whole process from production to processing and delivery.

“Greentime Nursery continues to go from strength to strength and with this new equipment and more staff, the future potential for Gidarjil and the region is exciting.”

The grant to Gidarjil Development Corporation is part of the Indigenous Local Employment Fund (ILEF) under the Morrison Government’s $5.7 billion Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).

The ILEF funds short-term, one-off proposals between $5,000 and $250,000 to help Indigenous jobseekers overcome obstacles in accessing local employment opportunities and provide pathways into short-term labour markets, particularly where COVID-19 has had a significant impact on job opportunities.

The Morrison Government is empowering Indigenous Australians through economic pathways to increase Indigenous skills and create jobs.

For information on the ILEF, including how to apply, visit the National Indigenous Australians Agency website, niaa.gov.au/ILEF