The Grampians region is the first of the regions to set up this forum. It has been intiated by DSE and Parks as a forum where stakeholder groups can come together and exchange concerns and ideas in a manner not currently available to them. Many user groups have interactions with DSE and Parks to varying degrees already, but don’t always have the opportunity to hear the concerns of other user groups. This forum has tried to bring together people representing, CFA, winegrowers, Field Naturalists, apiarists, CMAs, Landcare, Grampians Health, farmers, tourism, aboriginal groups and I went representing FOGGs. Of course some people wear several hats as they are involved in many groups in their community. Prue Pyke was on the planning group to get the roundtable up and running but I have taken over from her to represent FOGGs.
The first meeting was held at the beginning of July Graham Parkes welcomed everyone to the inaugural meeting saying it was a forum for views to be expressed and for networks to grow and that the Roundtable won’t change Government policy, but it can influence it. The planning group presented their proposed aims and the types of things the roundtable could and could not achieve.
The next meeting will be held at the end of September and we will discuss whether other groups need to be included in the roundtable (keeping in mind to keep the group to a maximum of 25 people) There will also be discussions around fire management and floods.