Stakeholder and community engagement
A broad range of government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups were engaged with during the phase-out program. As past land managers hadn’t engaged with the farming community regarding management of the licensed areas, much time was spent ‘around the kitchen table’ drinking tea with license holders and listening to their stories and history of the land. It soon became clear that they had a love of the River Red Gum Forest and the special plants and animals that lived there. It was common for farmers to reminisce about their encounters with Wedge Tailed Eagles, Platypus or the big Murray Cod living by their water pump.
- A dedicated Grazing Officer was assigned to Warby-Ovens National Park, supported by a small team that operated across the River Red Gum parks
- A broad range of community groups, Traditional Owners and non-government organisations supported the removal of grazing for ecological reasons and wanted increased public access to the river frontage.
- Development of relationships with graziers through acknowledging their connection to the land was essential to gain their acceptance of the park’s creation.
- Farmers didn’t always have access to on-line information or ability to respond to emails. Face-to-face communication and delivery of information proved invaluable.