State ‘expert’ to advise on climate change

STATE Government has employed a “Climate Communities facilitator” to provide the region with “ex-pert advice”, South Barwon MP Michael Crutchfield has announced.
He said Amy O’Brien was one of eight facilitators across the state set to deliver the Government’s $10 million Climate Communities program.
The facilitators would help community groups tap into program grants of up to $50,000 for climate change projects, Mr Crutchfield said.
Examples of potential projects included a “bike hire cooperative” or trials of new “clean” technology.
Mr Crutchfield said the facilitators would provide chances for “all levels of the community” to get involved in actions on climate change.
“Each particular region has its own unique set of circumstances and in this instance Amy O’Brien will help aim to fight the effects of climate change particular to the Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast and other Barwon south-west communities,” he said.
“It is important that the communities of the Barwon south-west region utilise their facilitator to reap maximum reward for the project they have in mind and I’m sure Amy O’Brien will be able to help the community groups in the Barwon south-west region through (her) expertise and skills to develop programs and assist with grants.
The climate facilitator positions were advertised as carrying a Victorian public service award salary at level four or five, which ranges from about $64,000 to $90,000 a year.