Below are the notes from our last Progress Meeting held 6th February 2014.
Meeting Notes: Boyagin Rock Progress Meeting
Location:
Pingelly Shire Offices
Meeting
start time: 1.00pm (run time approx.1.5hr)
Date:
06/02/2013
Attendees:
Vince Holt, Gavin Pollock, Ray Marshall,
John Bostock, Greg Durell, Peter Wnuk, Merv Abraham, Daniel Ames (TM), Lachlan
Giles (TM)
Apologies:
Malcom Jetta
Key Discussion:
·
Boyagin Rock is only 1 hour
from the Bibbulmun Track – the idea of a potential linkage was mentioned
·
Initial conceptual plans of the
potential Boyagin Rock walking trail alignment were presented to the group the
following feedback was received:
§ DPaW indicated that the larger circular walking route would not be
appropriate for further investigation due to various environmental concerns
§ Currently DPaW have no fox baiting buffer zones in place around
Boyagin Rock, so if a trail were to be formalised around the rock then
appropriate baiting buffer zones would have to apply. This will allow further
impingement of feral species into the area.
§ DPaW would prefer that the walking trail allocated would be as small
as possible (i.e. as close to the rock as possible) to limit maintenance costs
& user risk (i.e. visitor safety) but they acknowledge that a compromise
may be possible and that a trail may be achievable in this location, subject to
further investigations
§ DPaW informed the group that they can provide Tredwell Management
with the following:
Ø Rare Flora map of site location
Ø Heritage map of site location
§ Merv indicated his support for this project and also indicated that
it would be beneficial to map the required buffer zone distances relevant to
the indigenous community (i.e. the area visitors should stay away from the base
of the rock) to better inform the design of the trail
·
It was noted that the Wheatbelt
NRM Board have produced high quality documents (i.e. NRM Gnamma Story Book –
funded by Caring for Our Country) that have successfully brought together key
stories and information from several indigenous groups and that they may be a
stakeholder in the future.
·
The following points were
discussed in regards to project consultation
§ DPaW and the Shire of Pingelly need to be consulted early in the
process with the goal of establishing the key principles of this project
§ The Noongar People as well as the Seabrook People are being
consulted in regards to this project during the week starting on the 10/02/2014
§ Tredwell Management are to design and distribute to council a
consultation plan
§ It was noted that a desktop approach to consultation will be
adequate from this stage
§ Neighboring properties are to be consulted
§ The Department of Indigenous Affairs should be consulted in regards
to a heritage site that may be located on the eastern side of the rock
·
A Walking Party is to be
established to walk the desired route (established by Tredwell) on the next
trip to Pingelly (estimated mid-march). This party will involve representatives
from Tredwell Management, DPaW, The Noongar indigenous community and the Shire
of Pingelly. At this time it was also noted that Tredwell Management will also
hold a Workshop with key stakeholders.
·
Precise nature of land
ownership/management and implications to this project are still to be
determined
·
It was noted that it needs to
be clarified with the Noongar people that there is a story to tell about
Boyagin Rock. The NRM board may be able to assist in capturing the detailed
story information after the completion of the Master Plan
·
As this trail will represent a
dreamtime trail sharing the stories of the Noongar people it will be important
that they have an opportunity to manage it with the vision for them in the
future to potentially manage commercial tours on site with the aspiration for
the site and its management to become self-funded and sustainable.
·
It was noted that a trail
developed recently at Fitzgerald is a good example of infrastructure
·
It was noted that the SW Land
and Sea Council will have legal representation present at the next meeting
·
Next Steps
§ Consultation Plan to be developed
§ Confirmation of date for next meeting in March
§ Contact Key Stakeholders in regards to project development
