Bass Coast Roundtable meeting, 20 July 2011

1) Welcome and apologies (5 mins)

2) Introduction: Biosphere background (for newcomers) – Jack Krohn, Secretary (5 mins)

3) Presentation: Where we are and where we are going? Achievements, challenges and what success will look like – Rob Gell, Biosphere Chair (10 mins)

4) Consultation: A Living Strategic Plan 2011–2013 – Rob (15 mins including discussion, plus invitation to submit comments by email)

5) Consultation: Eastern Curlew as a Biosphere Icon proposal – Jack (15 minutes including discussion, plus invitation to submit comments by email)

6) Roundtable future: Discussion of efforts to reinvigorate roundtables and our vision of their role and operation (see below), plus what needs to be done to make it happen (15 minutes including discussion)

Role of roundtables:

  • A local forum to draw together groups and individuals with diverse interests, e.g. business and industry, tourism, the arts, community groups, and agriculture, to foster conservation and sustainable development in the Western Port Biosphere Reserve.
  • A local forum for exchange of information and ideas, with a focus on that geographic area, while also informing the Biosphere Foundation of issues and opportunities affecting the broader region.
  • A means for separate geographic areas of the biosphere reserve to be represented in the Biosphere Foundation. (Roundtable convenors would meet as a group with the Executive Officer on a quarterly basis to exchange information, and discuss funding opportunities and issues. Each roundtable would continue to elect a director to the board.)

7) Possible actions/activities/projects (preferably with an aim of broadening engagement in the roundtable) (15 minutes including discussion)

  • Biodiversity day proposal – Jack
  • Other ideas, possibly drawing on ideas developed by members at the 2010 AGM workshop
  • Should we move to quarterly meetings?

8) Other business (10 mins)

9) Close. Next meeting 17 October 2011.

Meeting details

8pm, Wednesday, 20 July 2011 at Phillip Island Information Centre, Newhaven

Meeting documents: