Let's get strategic

Phillip Island Nature Parks has released its new Strategic Plan 2025 - 2035, which is now available on its website.

The plan is designed to guide the organisation's work over the next decade.
While the high-level plan provides little specific detail, reimagining the Nobbies, and expanding the koala browse plantation are listed as actions.

In a media statement, Nature Parks said the new plan will help bring to fruition its vision to create "an island haven where nature and people thrive together".

It lists priorities as: Bigger and better natural areas; Thriving wildlife; Bunurong self-determination; Excellence in regenerative tourism; Support a vibrant community; and Strong organisation.

The plan lists public infrastructure, tourism, land management and wildlife as roles and responsibilities of the Nature Parks, while noting it is not responsible for wildlife on the island.

The plan clearly sets out the land managed by the Nature Parks, including the Summerland Peninsula, Swan Lake, Ventnor Koala Reserve, Kitty Miller Bay, Pyramid Rock, Rhyll wetlands, Oswin Roberts, Churchill Island, Forrest Caves, Fishers Wetland and Cape Woolamai.

Climate change is forecast to have considerable impacts on the sea around Phillip Island, as well as the island itself, the strategy states.

It states the organisation and Destination Phillip Island share a vision of "tourism for good", and that aligns with the council's vision that cherishes the local environment and landscapes.

Working with First Nations people to celebrate and protect the rich culture is a key part of the Nature Parks' vision.

The strategic priorities set out in the plan are:

• Bigger and better natural areas: increasing native habitats, building resilience and fully understanding the risks to the marine and coastal environments.
• Thriving wildlife: maintaining wildlife diversity, minimising extinction risk and maintaining a strong little penguin population.
• Bunurong self-determination: embedding aspirations into decision making, working collaboratively to manage country, being an active ally in Victoria's Treaty process.
• Excellence in Regenerative tourism: enhancing the island's tourism reputation, facilities that connect people to nature, experiences "drive profit for a purpose".
• Support a vibrant community: provide a connection to nature, champion reconciliation, value community voices and increase their number and depth.
• Strong organisation: collaborative and inclusive workplace, sustainable growth and inspire trust and connection.
  The Plan also includes an "on ground action" plan:
• Develop new Summerland Peninsula master plan
• Reimagine the Nobbies
• Build penguin resilience
• Progress climate adaption plan recommendations
• Revegetate Summerland Farm
• Consider investment in Koala Conservation visitor precinct
• Bush stone-curlew program continues
• Expanded koala browse plantation
• Connect missing trail links
• Habitat restoration
• Maintain Churchill Island's working farm and heritage area
• Work with Woolamai Beach SLSC to manage beach access and plan for future
• Maintain vegetation and trails
• Renew South Coast beach access
  

"Our Strategic Plan will help guide our work, grow our impact and drive positive outcomes over the coming decade at the Nature Parks," a spokesperson said.

Read the plan at: www.penguins.org.au/about/corporate-affairs/publications/