Community advisory committee established for Esperance parks and reserves

31/5/02
A community advisory committee has been set up to assist with the preparation of a management plan for conservation reserves along the Esperance coast.
Environment and Heritage Minister Dr Judy Edwards today said the membership of the committee represented a broad cross-section of the local community.
"The creation of this committee reflects the Government's strong commitment to engage the community in managing these parks," Dr Edwards said.
"A series of public workshops already has been held and the appointment of the community advisory committee provides further public participation in the development of the management plan."
The appointments followed calls for expressions of interest from the general public, as well as liaison with existing community groups and the Shires of Esperance, Ravensthorpe and Dundas.
The 12-member committee comprises:

• Mr Doc Reynolds (elected representative for Native Title Claimants and manager of Bay of Isles Aboriginal Community Inc, who has worked extensively with the Department of Conservation and Land Management on joint coastal rehabilitation projects);
• Mr Allan Bullen (elected representative for Native Title Claimants);
• Cr David Johnson (Shire of Esperance nominee and member of the Port Liaison Committee);
• Cr Rusty Lee (Shire of Ravensthorpe nominee and member of the Fitzgerald River National Park Advisory Committee. Cr Bill Auburn has been appointed deputy for Cr Lee);
• Mr Klaus Tiedemann (local Department of Conservation and Land Management district manager);
• Mr Michael Gibbs (local resident with 36 years in the Esperance region, secretary of Esperance Bird Observers' Group and member of the Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and of the Lake Monjingup Development Community Group);
• Mr Doc Featherstonhaugh (farmer in Munglinup area for 16 years, immediate past president of the Munglinup Recreation Association, board member of Esperance Residential College, member of the Esperance Value Adding Group Committee and School Advisory Group for Munglinup Primary School, who has a keen interest in conservation issues);
• Mr Michael Spragg (member of the Recherche Advisory Group, Society and Environment teacher at Esperance High School, member of Local Environmental Action Group and President of that group 1997-2000, interim board member of the Esperance Marine Institute, inaugural member of the Port Consultative Committee, co-developed an upper primary/lower secondary level educational package for the internationally-recognised Lake Warden system);
• Mr Jon Stuart (local resident for 20 years, volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officer, amateur and professional diver, experience in 4WD and fishing and good knowledge of planning processes and of local topography);
• Ms Marie Hunter (recently arrived farmer in the Condingup area, with an interest in maintenance and management of the local national parks; tertiary qualifications in Agriculture and Applied Environmental Science, whose work in Europe has included consideration of the impact of agriculture on the local environment); and
• Mr John Clemenger (local with long-term interest in the coast and experience in the tourism industry in coastal areas, surfing, diving and fishing and who understands the need for conservation and sustainable use and development).

Dr Edwards said the committee would provide information and advice as part of the preparation of a management plan for the Esperance Coastal Reserves, as well as assisting with the implementation of current management plans.
"The Esperance Coastal Reserves Management Plan will cover conservation reserves along the coast and in the immediate hinterland between Starvation Boat Harbour east to beyond Israelite Bay, including the islands of the Recherche Archipelago," she said.
"These areas are mainly in the Esperance Shire with smaller areas also in the shires of Ravensthorpe and Dundas."
Minister's office: 9220 5050