Published on 11 December 2025
South Burnett Regional Council and Golden West Apprenticeships joint initiative is well under way.
Funded under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative’s Work Skills Traineeships program, the first cohort of the project will be finishing in mid-January, with the second cohort starting in mid-February. This project has been designed to provide opportunities to unemployed, disengaged or disadvantaged Queenslanders to forge a pathway in the conservation and ecosystem management sector and further employment opportunities
Our trainees are learning fast with real experience in the field as well as their theoretical learning at TAFE. In the first weeks of the project the trainees have been to numerous places in the South Burnett developing their knowledge and skills.
At the Carroll Nature Reserve they began with digging and bagging weeds, an important step in protecting the ecological space of the reserve and threatened flora and fauna species.
Various places along the Rail Trail from Blackbutt to Wooroolin have seen the trainees learn about Bush Regeneration using manual techniques as well as digging the entire root system and cutting Lantana. Some skills learned and practiced are cutting and chemical methods. This involves the cut-and-paint technique for woody weeds and some vines. The trainees cut the stem close to the ground and immediately apply a registered herbicide to the fresh cut. Other methods include spraying herbicides on leaves for smaller weeds and stem injection for larger trees by placing herbicide into cuts or holes in the bark.
Ficks Crossing provided more practical experience for the trainees in their Bush Regeneration skills.
Native identification practice was undertaken successfully ensuring the theoretical and practical learnings have come together. Planting along the Rail Trail has been a highlight for the team.
South Burnett Regional Council and Golden West Apprenticeships are committed to developing skilled professionals who are ready to meet the challenges of environmental conservation and management. This program is a significant step towards nurturing future leaders in the field of ecosystem management.
For more information or enquiries please call council on (07) 4189 9100 or email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au