Nature Parks Board Update – February 2023

Nature Parks Board Update – February 2023

The Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Board met on the 28 February 2023 on Phillip Island.

Below are highlights from this Board meeting:

VISITATION PEAK PERIOD

The Board was delighted to hear the Nature Parks enjoyed a strong peak period, experiencing 18 sell out nights across December and January. The Board noted the organisation’s positive financial results, which were substantially above budget expectations and placed the organisation in a strong position for its pathway to recovery.

COMMUNITY OPEN DAY

The Board was pleased to hear the plan for the Nature Parks’ Community Open Day, following consultation with key stakeholders. The open day is planned to take place on a Sunday in September, with the Penguin Parade being the primary event hub which will open during the day with Welcome to Country, followed by a celebration of all the Nature Parks community partnerships with many of the organisation’s partners expressing interest in holding a market stall. Other activities will be offered across all Nature Parks sites which will offer a great day out for our community.

PHILLIP ISLAND WILDLIFE (MILLOWL) PLAN

Following discussions at its November and December Board meetings, the Board welcomed the release of the first progress report on the implementation of the Phillip Island Wildlife (Millowl) Plan. The Board noted the Nature Parks continuing commitments within the plan, and that funding was required for future components of the plan’s implementation. 

GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Each Board meeting the Board reviews key organisational policies and procedures and associated risks. This month the Board considered the organisation’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy along with its associated risk. In addition, the Child Safety and Wellbeing Procedure and child safety risk were reviewed. The Board endorsed both documents with comfort that Nature Parks’ practices and processes relating to child safety were robust and complied with the Child Safe Standards.

The Nature Parks Board Charter is the Boards’ key governing document that sets out its role, responsibilities, and powers under the Crown Land Reserves Act 1978. The Board endorsed its Charter and noted there had been no changes to the model policies determined by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on which the Charter aligns with.

SUMMERLAND TRACKS AND TRAILS

In 2012, the Nature Parks completed the Summerland Peninsula Infrastructure and Procurement Masterplan. This plan provided a conceptual design for the proposed revitalisation of the Summerland Peninsula to create a conservation and nature-based destination that reflected the significant values of the Summerland Peninsula. A key component of the plan was the creation of 18km of trail networks, linking the Penguin Parade and Nobbies. From this plan the Summerland Trails Masterplan was developed and endorsed by the Board in 2016, and following several unsuccessful funding bid attempts, the Summerland Peninsula Trails project was supported to be progressed to be ‘shovel ready’ to increase its advocacy and funding opportunities. The Board received a progress report on the project and noted the draft detailed designs which were sensitive and flexible to the significant cultural heritage sites present and unique flora and fauna assets. The Board also committed to maintaining vehicle circulation on the peninsula through this first phase of the planning and noted the role of Bass Coast Shire Council as the road authority for this planned project.

Supplementary to this progress report, the Board also reviewed the Bass Coast Shire Council’s Tracks and Trails Strategy 2022-2032. The Board welcomed the strategy and look forward to working collaboratively with Bass Coast Shire Council to deliver walking trails on Phillip Island.

Kevin Love
Chair
Phillip Island Nature Parks