Weeding out jobs for First Nations Communities

Charles Darwin University TAFE has trained a group of First Nations employees from Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation (RAC) to target the removal and management of Coffee Bush weed (leucaena leucocephala) in remote East Arnhem Land. 
 

Coffee Bush is recognised as a significant environmental weed across the Northern Territory that displaces native plants and reduces biodiversity as it is fast growing and forms dense thickets.  
 

Currently, Coffee Bush is not declared a weed in the Northern Territory or at a national level.  
 

If left unmanaged the weed can threaten the health of local native species and water health. 
  

CDU Associate Vice-Chancellor East Arnhem Region Alice Doyle said the management of this noxious weed for Rirratjingu’ s workforce tasked with the removal and control of Coffee Bush is important not only for further skilling, but also for health and preservation of native species in their communities.  
 

“Supporting the skilling of a local workforce with safe and long-term practices that will provide access to jobs locally is always our goal,” Mrs Doyle said.  
 

“Offering skills that ensures they can help keep Country healthy is an added bonus.” 
 

RAC Chief Operating Officer Paul Martin said by aligning local knowledge with environmental management, the team hopes to safeguard their communities from invasive species. 
 

The staff involved said they were grateful for the training and support from RAC. The local CDU team worked closely with them to ensure they not only can manage Coffee Bush but now have qualifications that support their futures.  
 

More than seven RAC staff have now graduated with a qualification in Rural Operations from CDU TAFE.