Chapter Two |
|
Working Groups |
On a more informal level, working groups and steering committees were also formed, particularly to oversee the feasibility of routes through the Woronora Valley. No part of the route was planned or researched without the involvement of the landowner and others interested in the wellbeing of the particular section being investigated.
In particular, the team was concerned to ensure the involvement of the Aboriginal community, especially on lands owned and managed by them and actively pursued many different avenues of involvement in route planning.
In partnering with stakeholders and the community, the project team aimed to achieve community support and enhanced opportunities for the community to sustain the Great Kai'mia Way beyond the study period. Appendix 4 lists stakeholders and their involvement with the Great Kai'mia Way project. |
Community Events |
In order to reach out to as many people as possible, the project team welcomed opportunities to participate in community events.
In March 2003 the project team coordinated a clean up of an abandoned Christian camp on the Woronora River as part of the Australia Day Clean up. Twenty eight people - local residents, Waterways staff, Rural Fire Brigade volunteers and the owner of the local boat shed (photo below) - participated on the day to dismantle eighteen steel-framed bunk beds, remove mattresses, old tin roofing sheets and collect rubbish |
 |
|
 |
This was no mean feat considering the only access to the site was by boat (above photo), and at least three tons of rubbish was removed that day. At one stage of the removal process, the barge nearly sank under the weight of the junk.
The Volunteer Fire Brigade organised a sausage sizzle, and Sutherland Shire Council arranged to have the rubbish taken away. Overall, it was an excellent indicator of how the Kai'mia |
|
Way project can generate positive environmental action and community building.
The project team also set up stalls and promoted the Great Kai'mia Way as well as sought feedback at three festivals organised in the Sutherland Shire area: Menai Celtic Festival, Sutherland Shire Council School Environment Fair and Naidoc Day. |
Menai Celtic Festival:
- A stall displaying maps of the Woronora catchment and part of the Georges River catchment.
- People were invited to participate in a survey on recreational usage of local tracks.
Sutherland Shire Council School Environment Fair:
- A talk on ecological footprints was given.
- School children were given the opportunity to view the maps, encouraged to find where they live and to suggest what impacts they have on the health of the catchment.
Naidoc Day:
- Brochures were distributed, and it was a good opportunity to talk to indigenous members of the community about the project.
|
|
|
|
• Exec Summary 
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre | Suite 4 (1st Floor), 2-4 Merton Street, Sutherland NSW 2232