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Australian Alps News Update Summer 2007
Firstly season's greetings to all…new year that is, not the fire season which is probably all most have known lately.
As I type this update a media release has just landed on my desk! Great Divide fires contained after 69 days. Victoria's longest-running fire, the Great Divide Fire, has been contained after burning 1,116,408 hectares over 69 days.
But having said that a call from Tumut has just informed me that a fire in the Long Plain, Kiandra and Tantangara vicinity has crossed containment lines and visitors are advised not to walk (AAWT) or ride (BNT) in this area until further notice; doesn't the 'Autumn break' still seem a long way off?
Anyway…now that I am finally back after many months away from my Alps role I felt it was time to make contact with everyone again. With the exception of the Indigenous Interpretation Training and Employment program and the very demanding fire season not a lot has happened Alps wise lately, so this update is more of a staff and projects catch up and notification of some Australian Alps workshops later in the year.
Australian Alps Liaison Committee
Bruce Leaver (convener) – Department of the Environment & Water Resources
Odile Arman – Department of Territory & Municipal Services (Parks, Conservation & Lands)
Dave Darlington – Department of Environment & Conservation (NPWS)
Peter Jacobs – Parks Victoria
Tracie Brauer (secretary) - Department of the Environment & Water Resources
Working Groups
Working Group conveners & members –
Community Awareness - convener vacant - Maree Gilbert (ACT), Lois Padgham (ACT), Gail Wright (PV), Bart Smith (PV), Stuart Cohen (NSW) & Mary Green (NSW)
Natural Heritage - convener soon to be vacant - contact Murray Evans Murray.evans@act.gov.au - Dave Whitfield (ACT), Keith McDougall (NSW), Josh Bean (NSW), Charlie Pascoe (PV), Peter Kambouris (PV) will replace Craig Hore (PV) shortly. Ross Scott (DEW)
Cultural Heritage - award winning convener soon to depart Ray Supple rsupple@parks.vic.gov.au - Colleen Nagle (PV), Mick Douthat (PV), Dave Foster (PV support), Dean Freeman (NSW), Megan Bowden (NSW), Adrian Brown (ACT) & Sam McKay (ACT) Ross Scott (DEW)
Visitor Recreation and Facilities - Kevin Cosgriff (convener) Parks Victoria kcosgriff@parks.vic.gov.au - Andrew Miller (NSW), Simon Allender (NSW), Steve Wright (NSW support), Wing (Trevor) Hagger (PV), Marg Wade (ACT).
Alps Projects Update
Cultural Heritage
Indigenous Interpretation Training and Employment Program - Bob Jones and John Pastorelli (Ochre Training) have run 3 interps training camps (Mt Buffalo, Yarrangobilly Caves and Namadgi) for a number of Indigenous rangers and trainees from across the agencies. It is anticipated that trainees will now assist in running cultural heritage interps activities to schools and/or park visitors over the next few months. More in the next newsletter.
Remembering Lost Places - this publication concentrating predominately on historic hut and mine sites lost during the 2003 fires has been printed and available via Tabletop Press ($14.95) or myself (for a lot less!).
Natural Heritage
Threatened Frog Research - Rob Pletsch is leading a team to look at the distribution and implications of the amphibian chytrid fungus in the Australian Alps.
Dogs In Space - In conjunction with PV, Andrew Claridge (NSW) is undertaking placement of GPS collars on wild dogs to track their movements in remote eastern areas of the ANP. Conclusions drawn about wild dog spacial ecology will improve long term understanding and management. Unfortunately only a small number of collars have so far been deployed.
Alps Rehabilitation Manual - Roger Good has compiled a very comprehensive alpine ecological rehabilitation manual. NGH Environmental, the consultancy that developed the NSW Rehabilitation Guidelines for Resort Areas undertook the editing and design with the hope that eventually the two manuals will be distributed together. The Manual has now been printed and distributed (and on the web). Contact me if you would like a hard copy.
Alps Invaders - Sainty and Associates have completed the booklet and it is now being printed; copies will be available very shortly. A number of Alpine Resorts, Shires and CMAs have assisted with sponsorship.
Community Relations and Recreation & Facilities
Style Guide - to be developed this year
Information / Fact Sheet series - to be developed this year (first in series - Wild Dogs)
AAWT Message Stick Celebration Walk - unfortunately this project has had to be postponed due to the Victorian fires and subsequent closure of the southern sections of the AAWT; from Stronachs (western end Baw Baw plateau) to Mt Hotham.
ABC stories - the ABC have contracted Richard Snashall to produce the stories for radio & TV. Richard has produced the 'winter' stories and is in the process of developing the 'summer series'. They are available for download on the ABC web site.
CSA - watch out for the new Community Service Announcements now being run on a range of TV stations.
AAWT interpretive/promotional signs - interpretive signs have been developed for up to 9 key visitor nodes with vehicle access along the Alps Track. The AAWT signs will be used to highlight Aboriginal heritage and custodianship, the "One Park" concept and site specific values and/or walks along the Alps track. The signs will be produced & installed this year.
One Park 'Welcome to Country' entry signs - A scoping paper was produced last year with entry sign design options to suit a range of scenarios - from an agency commitment to promote the Australian Alps as "one park" through to more discrete node signs. The paper will go to the Heads of Agencies for advice on how to move forward with this ambitious & exciting project.
Integrated Landscape Management
Science / Management Forum - planning for the 2nd joint IUCN/WCPA & Australian Alps (Climate Change) Workshop is well underway. A number of eminent climate change scientists have agreed to present, including Dr Graeme Pearman; this is certainly an Alps workshop not to be missed. 16 -18 April 2007
Fire History - Phil Zylstra's (NSW) long awaited fire history of the Australian Alps has been printed & distributed to a wide range of staff and interested stakeholders, including fire researchers and organisations. It is also now on the web.
IUCN/WCPA Connectivity Conservation Management Workshop - approximately 45 delegates from around the world gathered at Papallacta, Ecuador to discuss experiences and lessons learned in cross border conservation. More in the next newsletter.
Australian Alps Annual Report and Newsletter
Annual Report 2005 - 2006 All Annual Reports can be found on the Alps web site.
News from the Alps - 2006 Winter - Spring edition is out featuring the Climate Change Campaign - the Alps program, the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council and the Australian Ski Areas Association are jointly campaigning to raise awareness about global warming, potential impacts on mountain environments and how visitors to the Alps can reduce their energy use. Find out more
- any ideas for articles & photos of interest from staff always welcome! If you didn't receive a copy and would like one please contact Gill ganderso@parks.vic.gov.au
...and don't forget
A new lightweight portable cultural heritage banner is now available as an addition to the Australian Alps Displays (X 4 sets of banners) or stand alone display - please make use of them when attending shows, functions etc - they are easy to use, very attractive and equally relevant across the whole of the Alps. There are sets in Bright, Mt Beauty, Heyfield, Jindabyne, Namadgi & Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre.
A CD of images from across the Alps depicting a range of scenery, activities and values is available. Images can be used freely by Alps staff and the Alps program for presentations, publications etc. If you would like a CD contact Gill ganderso@parks.vic.gov.au
All the Alps brochures (X4) are distributed direct to park offices and visitor centres. Contact Gill ganderso@parks.vic.gov.au with special requests for brochures or comments.
Publications - a complete bibliography of Alps publications & reports plus a number of the popular ones have been uploaded onto the web. www.australianalps.deh.gov.au
Remaining reports & publications are now in Bright. So contact Gill ganderso@parks.vic.gov.au if you are after anything & I will see if I can help.
Important Dates / Events
- Science/Management Forum - Climate Change (implications for park managers) - to be run in conjunction with Environmental Sustainability (products, practices and procedures) - April 16 - 18 Falls Creek.
- Australian Alps Call for Projects - April 2 2007 (Submissions close mid May)
- Australian Alps MOU 21st Celebration and Futures Thinking - June 2 - 3 2007 (TBC) Thredbo
- Alps Operational Group Meeting - June 4 2007 (TBC) Thredbo
Newsupdate compiled by Gill Anderson Australian Alps Program Manager
ganderso@parks.vic.gov.au
phone 03 57550011 mob 0418 561 827
www.australianalps.deh.gov.au