By partnering with the Australian Ecosystems Foundation, the new project, funded by the Department of Employment's Employment Pathway Fund will also help restore the damaged Secret Creek sanctuary following recent damage from bush fires and flooding.

Damage to the area following last years bush fires was substantial, demolishing walking tracks, bridges and fencing throughout the property.

The sanctuary was also struck a second blow earlier this year when severe flooding caused significant damage to animal enclosures throughout the reserve.

The program will also benefit the locally unemployed by giving them skills that will help them in seeking employment in the future while at the same time helping to restore one of the country's most important wildlife reserves.

The new scheme was conceived by Head Ranger Shaun Hooper who approached VERTO's Lithgow office with an outline for what was needed to undertake the project.

Following a productive meeting with Team Leader Matt Pearce involving costs, equipment and manpower, the outline for the scheme took shape.

“Matt was able to develop a good structure to bring the project to fruition.

This will be a great help not just in restoring badly damaged areas at Secret Creek sanctuary, but also in helping local people, especially members of our aboriginal community develop skills in conservation and land management that will not only benefit the environment, but the community as well,” said Mr Hooper.

VERTO will be referring 10 job seekers from the local area for some much needed restoration work at the sanctuary.

Work will include building a fence around the entirety of the Secret Creek reserve, repairing fire damaged walking tracks and bridges, constructing and maintaining animal enclosures and spraying noxious weeds around creek areas.

The work is scheduled to commence on July 17 with VERTO facilitating the training for the job seekers in horticulture and other related skills.

Using funding from the Employment Pathway Fund, VERTO will supply a chainsaw, post hole digger and protective clothing for the participants as well as a supervisor for the project.

The project will run for approximately six months initially with plans to apply for further funding for subsequent projects over the coming years to continue to improve the facilities at Secret Creek.

Chief Executive Officer of VERTO, Ron Maxwell expressed his excitement for the new project.

“We are proud to support job seekers and organisations in the Lithgow community through group based activities.

We look forward to seeing the results of the job seeker's and the Australian Ecosystems Foundation's work to improve Lithgow's Secret Creek reserve in particular.”