Margo Sietsma
The AG met in November for its final meeting. Advertisements calling for expressions of interest will be out some time in the new year. I expect the new AG will again have a blend of experience and new blood. I would like to continue my involvement for another term, but that will depend on PV. I also hope that not too much time will elapse before the new group is in place.
At the meeting Graham updated the Group on fire recovery works. A team of ten casual staff have been appointed to carry out restoration works up until June next year. The focus initially is on Jimmy Creek Campground and the southern section of the Wonderland Range, followed by the Major Mitchell Plateau. Silverband Road is also planned to be reopened by Easter 2008. Rod Spinks briefed the group on Capital Works planned for the next two years as part of the State Governments election commitments. (See ‘From the Parkes Desk’). Graham also informed us that the RSL has advised Parks Victoria that it will end its lease of the cottage at Zumstein. and we discussed the need to deal with the invasive weeds at the site.
Jill Read briefed the group on the plans for a Fire Ecology Strategy for the Greater Grampians, including the Grampians NP, Black Range State Park and contiguous Crown Land. This strategy will contribute to the eventual development of a Fire Management Plan for the Greater Grampians.
Sean Frey, the Parks Canada Warden and Ecosystem Data Specialist on exchange to Parks Victoria, briefed the Group on his work in Riding Mountain National Park.
We learnt about the work on signage at Brim Springs and the suggestion of a heritage event there in 2008. We also expressed our disappointment on the very slow progress by the consultants on the Cultural Heritage strategy.
After our meeting we had a most enjoyable and useful meeting over a delicious meal at Brambuk with the AG from Wilson’s Prom NP and some of their staff who had spent the day learning about our Park. As a result of the meeting I am going there in February or March to look at their monitoring, both post wildfire and around fuel reduction burns.