The AG has met twice since the last newsletter.
The September meeting
We clarified what we hoped to achieve by appointing two junior members to the group, and how to go about it.
Mountain bike working group update: Committee met mid-July and 2 members committed to map proposed trial network north of Halls Gap using existing tracks and forward to David Roberts.
Brambuk Management Service Agreement was discussed.
Heritage Events: Next year represents 100 years since Walter Zumstein established the historic visitor site and accommodation, and this clearly will need to be included in ideas for the re-opening of the Zumsteins picnic area. There is also interest in a Forestry heritage event, Spring 2012 tentative date.
Two community forums have been held to discuss Zumsteins renewal plans. Once insurance money is confirmed a site plan will be developed and circulated for community comment.
Fire Ecology Strategy update: Jill Reid described the underlying strategy which guides the Fire Operations Plan for the next three years and explained the maps showing the zones. The biophysical report that underlies these recommendations is available via the ParksVictoria Website.
Dave told us about the Round Table that has been formed to discuss fire management issues associated with the Park neighbours, stakeholders and interest groups. This forum is designed to allow a better discussion between groups about the individual and broader issues of fire management policy (Wendy is the FOGG representative at the Round Table – see her report below).
Pre-planned burn indigenous heritage protection works. Ryan Duffy described how they are preparing to deliver protection works around identified indigenous cultural sites within planned burn areas.
Grampians Peak Trail. Dave described the initial Halls Gap Peak Trail circuit that has been planned and funded, involving a 3 day loop. Planning has been undertaken for the entire Peak Trail, however funding so far has only been provided to develop the Halls Gap loop.
Terms of appointment. The current GNPAG was appointed in early 2008, as the term is for 3 years the AG is up for re-appointment.
The November meeting
The letter to local secondary schools calling for applications for junior membership of the AG has gone out, and we hope to have two young members next year.
Terms of appointment update. This AG will remain until PV management calls for expressions of interest for a new one. There are many important issues facing PV at the moment and this may not be high on their agenda.
Flood recovery update. Much work has been going on to try to have as much as possible open for summer. In some areas there will be temporary solutions, pending new bridges. Access to Mt Rosea will be difficult because Vicroads are beginning their work on the Silverband Rd.
Grampians Fire Round Table. This is being led by DSE and is succeeding in getting diverse interests at the one forum. We felt it was important that the AG should also be involved.
Staffing issues. We discussed the fact that Dave has inherited many of the smaller reserves which were under John Harris (others have been joined in with Casterton and the Little Desert). On paper that brought three of John’s staff over; but two of these are on long-term leave, as are a couple of the Grampians NP staff. PV has budget problems, and is reducing staff by attrition i.e. not replacing staff who leave or are on long term leave. This, we felt, impacted most unfairly on this Park which is currently five positions down. The staff situation is made worse by the rigid way the new fire and pest staff must be used. For example, neither the fire staff nor the pest person are allowed to do any track work. It was resolved that Margo write to Rod Newnham expressing our concern. (I actually already included some of this in my letter last January, which at least resulted in having a Team Leader Natural Values appointed after a long gap, but not these other positions. It’s worth a try anyway.)
There were also discussions on the heritage days and on the Registered Aboriginal Parties / Traditional Owner status of the Park.