Granite Way Geopark Research Project, Western Australia

Granite Way Geopark Research Project

Outline• Feedback on progress with research (locally and Internationally)• Findings from forums• Identification of stakeholders and areas of interest•Where to from here

Stakeholder Perceptions of Establishing a Geopark in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia• A Murdoch University PhD research task • Partnering with Wheatbelt Development Commission and Avongro• Researching the perceptions of the community• Geopark as the vehicle• Identifying real tourism potential under the following structure:• Geological heritage/Flora/Fauna/Exploration (Pioneers)/Modern land

use Pastoral/Cropping/Mining/Tourism

Case Studies

Gunduwa

Granite Way Geopark (Aspiring)

Porongurup NP

Case Studies - Central Wheatbelt • is the main focus

Porongurup (National Park)• Providing a

different perspective

Gunduwa Conservation Region• Pastoral,

mining, sheep and wheat• Very

interesting landform• High level of

engagement with NGOs

Research Progress - International• Much research has centred on post-

Geopark establishment• Fanwei (2014) found local communities

felt their livelihoods were threatened - couldn’t collect from the forest, clear land, lost access• Other community members found

Geoparks and associated tourism was good for business• Findings indicate much more community

engagement is required

Research Locally (Western Australia)• Rural regions are in

decline through modernisation and centralisation• Tourism is seen as not

a panacea but a contributor for employment, social restructuring (sports, volunteerism, social clubs)

Crossroads

Make the Most of It …

Stakeholders in Geoparks in the Wheatbelt• Aboriginal communities• Community – retirees, un- and under

employed, non-working (by choice)• Business – accommodation, retail,

services (food, fuel, etc),• Local Government – becoming main

stakeholders• State Government – To be addressed• Non-government – from

conservation to humanities

Community Reaction so far …• Very positive support

from Local Government Authorities• Forum (Community)

attendees• Business engagement

Next• Follow up online survey• https://www.surveymonkey.net/summary/o6aOhuob7O9VBT3DPP10o0fiOLabgYeBURfwWwP3siQ_3D

• Arrange and conduct interviews• Next forum round - March 2016• Report to Wheatbelt Development Commission• Thesis … my supervisors say … get writing!

Thank you

• A.briggs@Murdoch.edu.au• alanbriggsnhc@dodo.com.au

• Watch this space …..