Dozens of people left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic will be recruited to work in bushfire recovery efforts, helping Victorians affected by two very different types of emergencies.

More than 80 jobs in bushfire recovery in Gippsland and the north-east will be advertised over the next three weeks. These roles are part of almost 200 special land-care positions to be offered under the Victorian Government’s $500 million Working for Victoria program.

The initiative will support vital bushfire recovery projects such as track repairs, dangerous tree removal and repairs to damaged infrastructure in national parks and state forests so that they are ready for Victorians to enjoy when it is safe to do so.

The Victorian Government is supporting the jobs with investment from the Working for Victoria fund, enabling recovery work to continue in regions that were devastated by the summer bushfires and elsewhere, and for important environment-protection works to proceed.

The workers will be employed across the state by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Parks Victoria and the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority.

DELWP has worked with agencies including Parks Victoria and catchment management authorities to identify jobs that can begin immediately with relatively little training. Authorities will ensure that workers maintain required physical distancing and adhere to hygiene requirements to ensure safe operations across the state.

These roles build on hundreds of Working for Victoria jobs in rural and regional communities already announced, with hundreds more to come.

More than 4,300 people have been employed through the Working for Victoria program, which is part of the Government’s $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package.

Working for Victoria matches people who have lost their job due to the economic impacts of coronavirus with employers that need staff, providing an avenue for a quick return to work and access to training where required.

Jobseekers can register their details at vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula

“Communities across Victoria have been hit hard by coronavirus, and that has been a double blow for those who are still recovering from effects of the bushfires.”

“It makes sense to direct workers to where they are needed most, helping out regional communities while providing meaningful and rewarding work for people who have suddenly found themselves without a job.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Improvements to public land are vital not just for the environment but for the wellbeing of bushfire-affected local communities.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Water and Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville

“Improving the health of our waterways is so important for all of our regional communities, and work to reopen the parks and forests devastated by the bushfires is central to bushfire recovery efforts.”