Two new recruits at Wingecarribee Shire Council have joined Council’s “on the ground” taskforce handling key environmental projects in newly created positions.

Stuart Gray has been appointed as Council’ environmental officer and WOFE (Wingecarribee Our Future Environment) program coordinator and Martin Zierholz has been appointed as a bushcare facilitator.

While Mr Gray’s position within the environment and planning department is funded by the Environmental Levy, Martin’s role has evolved from a restructure within the technical services divison.

The restructure has involved bushland management and noxious weeds areas and will result in a better integration of noxious weeds and environmental weed control functions.

Both Mr Zierholz and Mr Gray bring a fresh new outlook and energy into the shire’s environmental projects.

Mr Gray will be assisting Paul Curley, Council’s environment and health manager, in the three day a week position, coordinating the implementation of the WOFE program.

He will be supervising the shire’s biodiversity strategy, the threatened species database and wetland management strategy projects.

Mr Zierholz will be managing and coordinating bushland and regeneration programs including the Wingecarribee bushcare program. His role will bring him into contact with landholders when he provides technical advice and information on the management of native vegetation.

He will also be working closely with individual volunteers and bushcare groups who are carrying out environmental projects in the shire.

Mr Curley has described both new positions as a bonus.

“We will be able to achieve so much more on all levels within WOFE Programs because of this initiative,” he said.