While the last issue was being printed the new AG was announced, and has held two meetings already. I am again appointed convenor, and there is a good mix of experienced and new members.
The first meeting was mainly an introductory session. Discussion of our roles and responsibilities and an overview of who does what in the GNP, what projects are underway etc. Even for those of us who’d been there before it was a lot to take in.
The second meeting dealt mainly with two issues.
We had an update on the immanent release of the Brushtail rock wallabies into the wild, and were asked for our feedback on how best to protect them as they settle in. The AG was unanimous that the welfare of the animals had to be the sole priority. So we wholeheartedly agreed that the Rosea Track remain closed for as long as necessary, except by permit. There will be quarterly reviews with AG member input.
The second item was discussion of the draft fire operation plan for the next three years. We had been sent the new plan prior to the meeting, and had, I believe a fruitful discussion of it. We also agreed that it would be useful to invite a wider group to inspect each year’s burns after they were completed, as has been done the last two years for FOGG members.
The FOGG committee has met separately to look at the draft plan, and Prue is formulating our response to it.