Executive Summary

Background

Partnering with stakeholders and the community

Route Descriptions

1. The routes have been divided into subsections and each subsection has been given a name. The information in the tables also identify suitability of the route for pedestrians, cyclists and canoeists.

2. A standard grading system has been adopted to indicate difficulty of the walk from 1 (wheelchair accessible) to 5 (experienced walkers only).

3. Some parts of the Great Kai'mia Way are already in place, other parts require construction. Subsections are prioritised to highlight the importance of the section to the function of the Way, and the difficulty and funding opportunities for implementation:
   
   A - Highest priority - recommended completion within two years
   
   B - Medium priority - recommended completion in next five years
   
   C - Lowest priority - within ten years.

4. Each subsection presents its own benefits and challenges which are listed in short form.

5. The project team has done its best to ensure that all relevant stakeholders for each subsection have been contacted. The project team hopes that by listing stakeholders in this way, those who have not been identified will contact the team to provide relevant input.

6. Actions and estimated costs of implementing each subsections are also noted.

7. Maps are a critical part of the way information is delivered in this report. Each subsection is accompanied by a map of that subsection. Larger scale landscape maps are also provided to increase ease of orientation.

Coordination

1. Sustainability and safety
2. Signage
3. Use of materials
4. Implementation.

The future of the Great Kai'mia Way and recommendations

1. That the precautionary principle guide development of the great Kai'mia Way, and that no development proceeds till appropriate management measures have been agreed to by stakeholders.

2. That the Great Kai'mia Way vision be implemented, appreciating the information for routing and priorities noted in Chapters 3 and 4 of this report, and ensuring that the precautionary principle is the arbiter of both route selection and implementation.

3. That the relevant communities name subsections of the Way.

4. That the safety code developed by the Great Kai'mia Way project team be adopted as the minimum standard for work carried out on the Great Kai'mia Way.

5. That the codes of conduct detailed in the Great Kai'mia Way report be noted on signage and on literature relating to the Way for the three main categories of non-motorised recreational uses: walking, cycling and canoeing.

6. That a regional strategy be developed to provide opportunities for cycling experiences while controlling inappropriate access through bushland.

7. That trackside benches and drinking fountains, such as bubblers, be provided where mains water supply is available at strategic access points along the Way, generally at roadside stops.

8. Access to the Great Kai'mia Way should encourage legitimate non-motorised transport through appropriate entry points, and the provision of bike racks and parking.

9. Level or gently sloping sectors of the Way with good access should be developed and promoted to provide opportunities for less mobile people to use the Great Kai'mia Way.

10. Bans on the use of 4WDs and Trail Bikes on the Great Kai'mia Way should be reinforced with:

• Provision of alternative places to go which are affordable;

• Police and rangers should have powers to confiscate bikes;

• System of fines and heavy penalties for transgressing law;

• Amendment of laws to ban their use on the Great Kai'mia Way;

• More frequent patrols by rangers backed up by police enforcement teams; and

• Signage.

11. That land managers adopt a protocol for closing routes during severe fire danger periods, and maps show routes to enable quick exit in case of emergencies.

12. That the Great Kai'mia Way maximises the potential for people to use public transport and local amenities.

13. That traffic calming measures and associated signage be installed at intersections of roads and the Great Kai'mia Way.

14. That landmanagers be encouraged to adopt the guidelines for signage recommended in the report and adopt the "family of signs" concept for the Great Kai'mia Way.

15. That a standard be adopted for construction and upgrade of track works, consistent with existing Australian Standards for walking track classification signage and infrastructure AS 2156.1-2001 and AS 2156.2-2001: a combination of Class 2, Class 3 and occasionally Class 4 out of 6 classes, where 6 is the least developed class (see appendix dd for details of standards).

16. That infrastructure on the the Great Kai'mia Way is free of all CCA treated pine products.

17. Effective measures be implemented to exclude trail bikes and 4WDs from sensitive areas by using, for example, gates made from galvanized steel pipe, fencing made from galvanized steel double rope, and kissing gates to enable access by legitimate users.

18. That Type A barriers as described in AS2156.2-2001: Track Infrastructure be be installed at lookouts and other relevant locations for safety and risk management at the discretion of track managers based on an assessment of effective fall height.

19. That stakeholders adopt the feasibility study through a signed memorandum that commits
    them to:

    1. a project staging plan as detailed in the feasibility study;

    2. a coordinated strategy for implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way, including:

       1. common signage as detailed in Chapter 5;

       2. ongoing communication between stakeholder groups to ensure appropriate linkages;

    3. adoption of the principles of sustainability in the implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way backed by increased research into the aspects of sustainable management;

    4. adoption of the planning checklist for development as detailed in Chapter 5
       

20. That Councils incorporate the Great Kai'mia Way route and vision for sustainability into their planning instruments and provide consistent funding through budget allocations and S94 developer contributions.

21. That Way community groups - local "friends of the Great Kai'mia Way" - be recognised and if necessary, established to help with the implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way vision.

22. That the Aboriginal community be an integral partner in the design and implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way.

23. That a management and implementation system be set up that will enable:

    1. An ongoing structure for decision making that involves land holders, land managers and interested community members, with particular note to engage the Aboriginal community;

    2. A funding structure that encourages contribution from a wide pool of stakeholders: community, private organisations and government;

    3. A commitment to continued promotion of the Great Kai'mia Way for environmental, cultural, recreational and health purposes;

    4. A commitment to sustainability whilst enabling access to as many users as possible.