WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria

Page created by Jorge Hoffman
 
CONTINUE READING
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
11th Meeting of the
  WORLD
PROTECTED
  AREAS
LEADERS FORUM
  Victoria, Australia
 25 -29 March, 2019
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
The World Protected Area Leaders
Forum (WPALF) is a gathering
of leaders of major protected area
and park management agencies.
The forum was established in 2000
under the auspices of the World
Commission of Protected Areas
of the IUCN.

Parks Victoria is honoured to host
the 11th WPALF Meeting in Melbourne
from 25-29 March 2019, including
optional pre and post tours to further
explore Victoria’s magnificent parks.

                                                                                  Wilsons Promontory National Park

                         Thematic meetings
                         The main theme of the 11th World Protected Areas Leaders Forum
                         will focus on the impacts and opportunities of increased visitation to parks
                         and protected areas and the topic of ‘over-tourism.’ Over the course of the
                         meeting, we will identify our nature-based tourism and visitor management
                         objectives while balancing our roles to conserve the natural values
                         of our parks and protected areas.
                         Rapid advances in technology, particularly the power of social media enabling
                         park visitors to share their experiences instantly, is contributing to the exponential
                         growth in visitation to our parks.
                         The question exists — are we loving nature to death?
                         There has never been a better time to collaborate and unpack case studies
                         from around the world, sharing insights into effective visitor management
                         in our parks and protected areas. We will have 2 days of thematic meetings
                         to explore this theme and other topics.

                         Preparing your presentation
                         A delegate from each organisation will be required to prepare a brief
                         20 minute powerpoint presentation in widescreen format (16:9)
                         covering the following information:
                           •    An introduction to your organisation (one slide only)
                           •    A case study example of the:
                                a. impacts of ‘over tourism’ in one or several of your parks
                                     or protected areas (e.g.: overcrowding, inadequate facilities
                                     and amenities, impacts on biodiversity) and;
                                b. management strategies in response to this issue (e.g.: dispersal
                                     of visitors, parks closures, capping numbers, disincentives etc.)
                                     to balance visitor expectations while protecting
                                     conservation values;
                           •    New initiatives to generate revenue (eg. guided walks, voluntourism,
                                entry fees etc.)
                         These presentations and a summary of insights gained will be collated into
2                        a meeting report. Please note that all meetings will be conducted in English.
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
Tidal River
                                                                                          Wilsons Promontory National Park

Tentative schedule of the WPALF in Melbourne (subject to change)

 Sunday           Optional pre-meeting tour: Day trip to Dandenong Ranges National
 March 24, 2019   Park in Melbourne (at delegate's own cost).

 Monday           Morning and early afternoon: Delegates to arrive in Melbourne.
 March 25, 2019
                  Evening cruise at 6:00pm on Melbourne’s Yarra River with Victorian
                  Government delegates and WPALF leaders.

 Tuesday          Full day thematic meeting focusing on 11 international agencies
 March 26, 2019   to present their case studies held at Albert Park, followed by
                  a delegate dinner.

 Wednesday        Early departure: All delegates will travel together by coach
 March 27, 2019   to Wilsons Promontory National Park.
                  Continuation of thematic meetings focusing on all Australian agencies
                  to present their case studies followed by an Aussie BBQ delegate dinner.

 Thursday         Morning: Tour of Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park on
 March 28, 2019   amphibious vehicles with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.
                  In the afternoon, the final session will be facilitated by IUCN/ WCPA
                  with open discussion on key topics.
                  Late afternoon: Coach departs (est. 6:30pm) from Wilsons Promontory
                  National Park and returns to Melbourne by 10:00pm.

 Friday           Delegates depart from Melbourne.
 March 29, 2019
                  Optional post-meeting tour: Two day, one night tour to the
                  Great Ocean Road and Grampians National Park (at delegate's own cost).

                                                                                                                3
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
Meals and accommodation

    Check in date     Accommodation                  Cost (in Aust. dollars   Meals provided
                                                     for a single room)       by Parks Victoria

    Monday            Refer to options list below*   $135 - $240 AUD          Dinner
    March 25, 2019

    Tuesday           Refer to options list below*   $135 - $240 AUD          Lunch and Dinner
    March 26, 2019

    Wednesday         Tidal River basic              Complimentary,           All meals and
    March 27, 2019    accommodation at Wilsons       as guests of             accommodation
                      Promontory National Park       Parks Victoria

    Thursday          Refer to options list below*   $135 - $240 AUD          All meals
    March 28, 2019

    Friday            Refer to options list below*   $135 - $240 AUD          —
    March 29, 2019

*Options (at delegates own cost)
1. Bayview on the Park           - 52 Queens Road, Melbourne 3004
   Premier Queen or Twin: $135 AUD per night, per room
   Breakfast available for $20 AUD per day, per person
   To book the above rate, please click here or visit the hotel website and use promo code PARKSVIC
2. Bayview Eden              - 6 Queens Road, Melbourne 3004
   Superior King or Twin: $155 AUD per night, per room
   Breakfast available for $20 AUD per day, per person
   To book the above rate, please click here or visit the hotel website and use promo code PARKSVIC
3. Pullman Melbourne Albert Park 		               - 65 Queens Road, Albert Park 3004
   Room only for two: $200 AUD per night, per room
   Breakfast available for $20 AUD per day, per person
   Call the reservations team on +61 3 8554 2428 or email h8788@accor.com and quote
   'World Protected Areas Leaders Forum' to access discounted rates
Please note that the charter bus will only collect delegates from these hotels.

Airport arrival and transport
Participants should arrive at Melbourne International Airport (MEL).
Transportation to Melbourne CBD can be by:
1. Taxi: After walking out of the airport terminal, turn right at the sidewalk to the taxi
   stand queue. A private taxi to Melbourne city costs between $55 - $65 AUD.
2. Uber: A ride from Melbourne airport to Melbourne city will cost $55 - $65 AUD.

Visas and passports
Foreign nationals entering Australia may require a visa, including for short visits. You must apply
for and obtain this visa from outside Australia before you arrive.
For specific information relating to the country of your passport (such as application processing times),
please consult the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.
Please contact us if you require a formal letter of invitation as part of your visa application process.

4
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
Big Drift
Wilsons Promontory National Park
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
General information
    The weather begins to cool down in March with the
    average temperature between 13 and 24 degrees
    celcius (24 - 75o F). Although night times will be cool,
    Australia has a strong sun and you will need to wear
    protective clothing, SPF 50+ sunscreen, a wide brimmed
    hat and sunglasses when outside.
    The itinerary includes a number of outdoor activities
    in Australia’s natural environment, to ensure your safety
    we suggest you wear long pants, a long sleeved top,
    closed covered boots or hiking shoes and appropriate
    protection against sun or rain.
    Additional items you may require include; personal
    drink bottle, wet weather clothing and insect repellant.
    Parks Victoria's accommodation at Wilsons Promontory
    National Park will provide all linen, sheets, blankets
    and towels.
    Parks Victoria is committed to providing parks that are
    inclusive for everyone. If you would like to discuss your
    own accessibility needs, please contact Parks Victoria
    to discuss.
    For more information on travelling to Victoria please see
    https://www.visitvictoria.com/

    Contact information
    For any questions about the WPALF meeting in
    Melbourne please contact Parks Victoria’s National
    and International Engagement team.
    Jo Hopkins
    National and International Engagement Manager
    Email: jo.hopkins@parks.vic.gov.au
    Phone: +61 3 8427 2448
    Angela Gardiner
    National and International Engagement Coordinator
    Email: angela.gardiner@parks.vic.gov.au
    Phone: +61 3 8427 2447

    I look forward to welcoming you to Melbourne
    for the 11th WPALF.

    Matthew Jackson
    Chief Executive Officer
    Parks Victoria

6
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
Optional pre and post tours
The following optional tours are available for delegates who are staying in Melbourne
before and/or after the WPALF meeting.
In the event that tours do not go ahead due to minimum participant numbers, Parks Victoria
will work with delegates to plan pre and post tours.

All tours are at the delegate's own expense.
To book, please fill out the Pre/Post Tours section of your registration form.

Dandenong Ranges National Park                            Great Ocean Road and
Sunday 24 March                                           the Grampians National Park
Duration: One day                                         Friday 29 March and Saturday 30 March
Departs: From 7:30am                                      Duration: Two days, one night
Returns: After 2:00pm                                     Departs: From 7:30am
Pick-up and drop-off available from key                   Returns: After 7:30pm
Melbourne hotels                                          Pick-up and drop-off available from key
Inclusions:                                               Melbourne hotels
• Coach transport, driver and tour guide                  Inclusions:
• Homemade Devonshire Tea                                 • Coach transport, driver and tour guide
• Puffing Billy steam train ticket                        • Lunch x 2, Breakfast, Dinner
Cost: $98.50 - $193 AUD per person                        • National Park & entrance fees
      (price dependent on numbers confirmed)              • One night accommodation in Halls Gap -
                                                              3 star standard
Journey to the stunning Dandenong Ranges
and experience the wonders of the historic                Cost: $381- $590 AUD per person
Puffing Billy Steam Train. Be captivated by the                 (price dependent on numbers confirmed)
towering Mountain Ash Trees and breathe in the            Day One: Depart Melbourne and travel through the
fresh air as you head into Grants on Sherbrooke           surfing town of Torquay for morning tea by the beach.
to indulge in their beautiful Devonshire Tea              Journey along the beautiful Great Ocean Road, enjoying
and scones. See and photograph the native birds           the stunning scenery of the famous coastline. A short
before you head to the heart of the Sherbrooke            stop lets you do some koala spotting and listen to the
Forest to journey aboard the Puffing Billy.               abundant birdlife before we break for lunch in Apollo
Once onboard, relax and take in the beautiful             Bay. Admire the amazing 12 Apostles before travelling
surroundings as the steam train winds its way             to Loch And Gorge, a famous shipwreck spot. After
through the lush forest. Finish off the day visiting      passing through the township of Port Campbell, stay
the delightfully quirky town of Sassafras.                overnight in the Grampians in the township of Halls Gap.
                                                          Day Two: Wake up to see the amazing views and
                                                          kangaroos! Grampians National Park is an area rich
                                                          in Aboriginal culture set in a beautiful and rugged
                                                          ancient lanscape. Embark on a walk in the National
                                                          Park and take in some breathtaking views at
                                                          Boroka and Reed's Lookout before making our
                                                          way to MacKenzie Falls. After an amazing 2 days
                                                          exploring the rugged coastline and mountain
                                                          ranges, we make our way back to Melbourne
                                                          early in the evening.
                                                                                                                7
WORLD AREAS PROTECTED - LEADERS FORUM 11th Meeting of the - Parks Victoria
Skull Rock
Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park
You can also read