h2. Improvements to Glenelg River Road
Over the last few years Park staff have been working away at getting the Glenelg River Road up to a better standard. Recently a three kilometre section of the Glenelg River Road near the Moora Moora Reservoir was resurfaced with additional gravel. The improved quality of the gravel surface reduces maintenance significantly, resulting is less grading and allowing our staff to focus on other pressing maintenance.
h2. Staff News
Congratulations to Sylvia van der Peet on her recent promotion to Apollo Bay. Among her many duties, Sylvia provided fantastic support for volunteer organisations associated with the Park and will be a big loss to our team. A process for finding Sylvia’s replacement is under way.
Congratulations also to our District Chief Ranger, Tony English, who is taking up a new position in Parks Victoria’s Indigenous Partnership Branch. Tony’s dedicated management of the Grampians District over the last five years will be sorely missed and we wish him well in his new role. Graham Parkes will be acting DCR until a replacement is appointed. Prue Daley will be Acting Ranger in Charge over the same period.
Welcome back to Lauren Young who rejoins our team as a Summer Ranger. Lauren was with us last summer and did a fantastic job.
A big “thank you” to Stewart Davidson and Geoff Pitt who have been acting in the role of Team Leader Visitor Services. A process is under way for a long term appointment to the position.
h2. Bush Camping Strategy
This year Park staff have been working on a Bush Camping Strategy for the Grampians. Bush camping is a popular activity across the Park and enjoyed by a wide range of user groups, including schools, bush walkers, 4WD groups, climbers and individuals. Generally the impact of bush camping in the Park is minimal, but in recent years the visitation to some bush camp sites has risen to the extent that site degradation is occurring and the sites are increasing in size.
The strategy considers bush camp users and usage, identifies the issues and impacts and develops actions for long term management. Recently a draft of the strategy was discussed with the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park Advisory Group and some valuable feedback was provided. The Advisory Group reinforced that the bush camping experience in the Grampians needs to be maintained and strategies should be introduced to minimise the impacts.
It is planned to finalise the strategy over the next few months. If anyone would like further information about the development of the Bush Camping Strategy, please contact Graham Parkes on 03 53614000.
Graham Parkes