The AG has met twice since the last newsletter. As I put this together, it is sobering to realise how much will need to be revisited with the enormous changes to the park of this summer’s events.
h3. October Meeting
The October meeting (for which I was an apology) discussed the proposal we had brought back from our visit to Wilson’s promontory to get some youth representatives on to our group. All agreed on the principle, but the mechanics are harder to implement. They also decided to follow up on the need to ensure that natural values education be a core ingredient in the services delivered by Brambuk in the new agreement currently being negotiated.
Ranger Andrew Roach spoke to the group: Storm and Flood damage and assessments have been the core function of teams over the past 6 weeks. Extra resources and staff were called in to assist. Major damage to walking track surfaces which may be insurable. He showed photos of the scale of the impacts. Capital Works program for the Grampians is focusing on 2 areas. Rosea Lookout and Redmans Bluff Lookout. A limit in funding means some prioritisation of works is required. Concept plans were displayed and discussed.
The park will be establishing a Mountain Bike Working Group consisting of local interest groups, to discuss, scope and plan track networks and alignments around the Halls Gap Precinct. The purpose of the working group will be to not just look at Halls Gap but creating trail links to Pomonal, Plantation camp Ground and opportunities to link into Stawell. The project has been delayed due to storm damage and shift in priorities.
Bush Camping Strategy: The final version of the Draft Document is proposed to be completed by November 2010 ready for final consultation with stakeholders. There will be an opportunity for the GPAG to provide final comments.
Concerns were raised about the overall maintenance and presentation of the Zumsteins area, and there was discussion of the Mt Zero Rd (Bolte Highway).
h3. December Meeting
Further work was done on the youth representation positions and on the natural values education question.
A new item was our extreme disappointment with the shortage of staff. Budgetary restraints state wide have meant that staff who leave are no being replaced. Of particular concern was that Mike Stevens’ position Team Leader Natural Values has not been filled. A letter was sent to the Regional Manager expressing our dissatisfaction.
We also went out into the Park, to look at bush camping near Moora Moora and at the serious damage to roads and campgrounds from the December rains. We were impressed then at what the force of water could do, but little did we expect the event only three weeks later! We meet again in February.