"HYPOTHETICALS" PROGRAM

A Study of the Changing Interactions Between an Australian Community and its Environment (Geography Syllabus 5A2 For students of Australian Geography - Stage 5)

Suggested program of activities for a two-night stay

The aim of this program is to provide an introduction to the reasoning behind development projects, and to the analysis of their environmental and social impacts in a democratic society. The program aims also to instil self-confidence and assertiveness, and teamwork skills, and to encourage clear thinking in the presentation of an argument. These aims are achieved through a "Public Hearing" where teams of students present the case for the development, against the development, or in favour of a compromise solution.

DAY ONE

Meet Wangat Lodge staff mid-morning at entrance to Wangat Lodge. Brief introduction to program. Drive 1.5 km up Chichester Dam Road to Chichester Reservoir. Walk to dam wall. Continue to picnic area below dam.

PACKED LUNCH

Lunchtime briefing by Ken Rubeli/class teacher introducing The WHAM Plan and its likely ramifications, and the students' role in its analysis.

Walk to Wangat Lodge through land marginal to Barrington Tops National Park with reference to Aboriginal and European-settlement history, and current land management including wilderness, logging, grazing, tourism and water catchment. Map-reading exercise en route.

Arrival at Wangat around 4.30 pm. Settle in. Free time.

DINNER

Slide program introducing local wildlife, plant life, recreational opportunities.
Division into three teams: - Pro, Anti and Compromise.
Briefings - aspects of the development projects: Wangat-Chichester Road, Greater Chichester Dam and Chichester Club Pacifique (see attached sheet for project summaries). Spot-lighting walk?

DAY TWO

BREAKFAST

At The Meeting Ground
Outline of mode of operation of the Public Hearing (Day Three)
Comment on the WHAM Plan from perspective of National Parks and Wildlife Department NSW and Hunter Water Corporation.
Briefings - outlines of special-interest groups (see attached sheet for names and areas of concern of groups)
Inspection of site for Greater Chichester Dam.

LUNCH

Division into three groups - short discussion time.
Choice of field trips to gather additional information on local environment (land and water management, biodiversity, conservation values), aspects/attitudes of the local community, impacts of the WHAM Plan.

Relaxation/swimming?

DINNER

Night - Short slide program on issues of sustainable development.
Re-cap on Public Hearing process.
Division into three groups. Discussion time within groups.
Combined Question Time.
Optional frogging expedition and spotlighting walk.

DAY THREE

BREAKFAST

Division into groups for preparation of cases for presentations to Public Hearing.
Public Hearing (at The Meeting Ground). Each group to set out their case including role-play representations from special-interest groups

1. Wangat-Chichester Road Project and forest management
2. Greater Chichester Dam
3. Chichester Club Pacifique and eco-tourism
   (See presentation guidelines.)

Comments of Chairman on each case.

Relaxation/swimming?

LUNCH

Farewells and departure.

WANGAT LODGE - "HYPOTHETICALS" PROGRAM The Eco-Dynamic Initiative (TEDI)

Welcome to the Opening Conference of a bold new program of the United Republican Empire of Australia Department of Planning - The Eco-Dynamic Initiative.

TEDI is the path to sustainable economic development for our proud country. With Australia's wealth of natural resources and management expertise, we are calling upon entrepreneurs and investors to make the most of this Government's newly relaxed approach to areas previously unavailable for development.

We welcome you to our first case study for TEDI: a regional economic development program for the Chichester Valley north of Dungog NSW.

The town of Dungog has for decades been dogged by stagnation of local industry with a resultant unemployment and lack of flow-on effects down the valley to Newcastle. TEDI 001 will reverse earlier declarations of extensive areas of unproductive National Park and Wilderness in the rich forests of the Chichester and Wangat River Valleys. Dungog and District will be revitalised.

TEDI 001 will enable the regeneration of a traditional and thriving timber industry based in Dungog, applying the latest hyper-efficient processing technology and forest harvesting and regeneration techniques.

TEDI 001 will conserve small areas of forest significant in biodiversity and scenic values as Eco-Tourism Zones. Development sites on the fringe of ETZ's will provide facilities for bushwalking and wildlife observation within the zones, and a base for recreational 4WD's, motorcyclists and mountain bikers to use available Timber Production Forest outside ETZ'S.

TEDI 001 will hugely boost employment in the region with a massive dam construction project fast-tracked over three years, quadrupling the capacity of the present Chichester Reservoir. The chosen dam site at Platypus Pool on the Chichester River will have negligible adverse effect on local economic activity while the new Greater Chichester Reservoir will enable the large-scale development of major water-consuming industry downstream in particular in the expanding port of Newcastle.

Lastly, TEDI 001 will offer to interested developers a site for a major international tourism project, anticipated to involve five-star accommodation, golf courses, a casino, and watersports on the calm expanses of the reservoir which the complex will overlook.

As a vital part of the implementation of The Eco-Dynamic Initiative, public consultation will refine proposals, ensure wise implementation, and maximise the trickle-down effect of economic rewards. From members of local departments and organisations we seek a grassroots response. Listen, and be heard!

Ms Dinah Moh
Minister for Planning

A register of Government and semi-government bodies and special-interest groups whose views are invited:

• NSW Tourism Commission
• Hunter Highlands Tourism
• Upper Hunter Fish Ticklers Club
• State Forests NSW
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Australian Heritage Commission
• Hunter Water Corporation
• Hunter Industrial Development Council
• Dungog Shire Council
• The Wilderness Society (Newcastle Branch)
• Australian Apathy Association
• National Parks Association (Hunter Branch)
• Newcastle Rainforest Action Group
• Australian Rural Sub-Dividers Inc.(Dungog Sub-Division)
• Hunter Area Watersports Association
• Bandon Grove Landcare Group
• Association for Environmental Education (Hunter Region)
• The Australian Museum
• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Dungog Historical Society
• Farmers United To Guard Our Valley
• NSW Dead Bird Watchers Golfing Association
  

Wangat Lodge programs strive to be non-sexist and non-competitive, and promote no particular religious or political ideology.