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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!
