By Phillip Island Nature Parks
The Phillip Island Nature Parks Board met on the September 24 for its regular board meeting. The meeting was held in person on Phillip Island and below are the highlights of the meeting.
The Board farewelled Board Member Patrice Mahoney who was departing the Nature Parks Board at the end of her three-year term. The Board thanked Patrice for her dedication and passionate contribution to the Nature Parks, especially in supporting the organisation's reconciliation activities and helping to drive positive cultural change as co-chair of the Reconciliation Advisory Committee and Community and Environment Advisory Committee.
Visitation to the Nature Parks attractions
The Board was happy to note the positive visitation trends established across the end of the 2023-24 financial year had continued into the first quarter of FY25 with July and August visitation and admissions revenue exceeding budget expectations, despite a budgeted increase in visitation.
Annual report and financial statements
The Board was presented with the organisation's Annual Report for 2023-24 and accompanying financial statements. The report demonstrates another successful year of growth for the Nature Parks and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, volunteers and partners collective achievements.
The Board reviewed the annual report and financial statements for tabling in Parliament, and noted these would be finalised following the successful completion of audit processes.
Strategic planning
Since the start of 2024 the Nature Parks has been in the early development stages of its next long-term strategy. Work commenced with early idea gathering and workshops conducted with staff, advisory committees, volunteers and other stakeholders.
The Board was very pleased to be able to provide further guidance and feedback to help shape the strategic planning process and was supportive of the planning priorities. The Board look forward to further community engagement and stakeholder consultation as the plan is further developed.
Governance and compliance
In the lead up to summer each year the Board discusses fire preparedness and this meeting the Reserves Manager joined the meeting to brief the Board on fire risk and prevention activities across the Nature Parks reserve networks. It was noted the fire risk period was unknown at this stage, but the organisation was preparing for a potentially early season with all fuel reduction works on track to take place before summer.
The Board also reviewed the climate change risk, which identifies all the adverse impacts of climate change on the Nature Parks reserves, wildlife, infrastructure and operations.
Infrastructure projects
The Board endorsed the appointment of the successful contractor to undertake critical repairs on the Nobbies Centre. This work includes addressing support structures, eave, facias and rust treating and painting throughout. The repairs will be undertaken over the coming nine months and will be managed with as little impact to operations as possible.
The Board was updated on the construction progress of the Penguin Parade Boardwalks and Viewing Stands project, which was progressing well with the delivery of the improved Penguins Plus viewing platform and the new path at the back of the viewing stands expected towards the end of 2024. The Board noted that the stage two works would commence in early 2025 and that a tender process was underway for the appointment of a design team for stage three. These much-needed improvements will replace boardwalk infrastructure, which has served the organisation and community well over the past 40 years. The new infrastructure aims to improve accessibility for all to the penguins viewing experience, whilst also enhancing the experience for all visitors.