• Exec Summary
• Introduction
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Glossary
• Appendices

Chapter Six

This report delivers information necessary for the progressive implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way. It details where routes could best be allocated, the priority for implementation of sections of the route and guidelines for the coordinated implementation of the project.

Many stakeholders have been involved in the provision of information for this report, and many stakeholders will need to be involved to realise the vision presented by the Great Kai'mia Way. The following table lists the categories of stakeholders, some of the benefits they could gain from continuing involvement in the Great Kai'mia Way project and the role they might play.

The project team has endeavoured to engage a full range of stakeholders in developing the information presented in Chapters 3 and 4. In addition, Chapter 5 has begun to detail the issues that should be considered during implementation and maintenance of the Great Kai'mia Way. Recognising that more work should be done on this aspect of the project and to ensure that the information is utilised appropriately, it is recommended that stakeholders adopt this report as a guideline:

Recommendation:

That stakeholders adopt the feasibility study as a guideline for the development of the Great Kai'mia Way through a signed memorandum that commits them to:

19. 1 a project staging plan;

19.2 a coordinated strategy for implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way, including:

19.2.1 common signage as detailed in Chapter 5;

19.2.2 ongoing communication between stakeholder groups to ensure appropriate route linkages;

19.3 adoption of the principles of sustainability in the implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way backed by increased research into the aspects of sustainable management;

19.4 adoption of the planning checklist for development, detailed in Chapter 5.

The following table summarises the actions required by stakeholders for implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way and the benefits that will accrue to them working in a coordinated way on this project.

Stakeholders	Actions Required for implementation	Benefits for Stakeholders	Timeframe
12 Georges River Catchment Councils: · Canterbury · Hurstville • · Kogarah · Rockdale · Sutherland · Bankstown · Holroyd · Fairfield · Liverpool · Campbelltown · Wollondilly · Wollongong	Plan, design, construct and maintain Way network traversing lands under Council management. Promotion and community education	Cooperation with project increases the likelihood of Councils gaining funding from grants with aims of promoting regional improvements. Effectiveness of the Way networks can complement sports facilities and improve promotional opportunities for advancing fitness, community building, youth involvement, community stewardship and sustainability - Agenda 21	12 years; network implementation and ongoing commitment to maintenance.
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR)	Funding support to enable implementation and promotion of the Way. Support at Ministerial and interdepartmental level.	High profile regional planning project providing an excellent example of where DIPNR can take a significant toll in moving forward the sustainability agenda by utilising community requirements for recreation and learning experiences.	At least three years; support through planning instruments and funding.
Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)	The Great Kai'mia Way to be incorporated into RTA departmental plans, particularly for cycleways and ensuring safe pedestrian crossing areas	Advances RTA's 2010 Vision and Rail Trail cycleways - boosts usage of their network - higher profile gives RTA improved cycleway/walkway budget prospects	12 years; implementation phase and on-going
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)	Cooperation and liaison with Great Kai'mia Way planners, coordination of trail maintenance, signage and interpretive materials for Way sections through NPWS lands.	Promotional opportunities -could be incorporated into NPWS brochures - improved way of marketing their message to community	12 years; implementation phase and ongoing
Sydney Water (SW)	Cooperation and liaison with Great Kai'mia Way planners, coordination of trail maintenance, signage and interpretive materials for Way sections through Sydney Water lands.	Promotional opportunities could be incorporated in Sydney Water literature. Provides Sydney Water with opportunities to work with the community to increase good land stewardship.	12 years; implementation phase and ongoing
NSW Waterways Authority (WA)	Riverkeeper Program - cross-program liaison, and joint community actions and promotion	Opportunities to explore synergies in the projects to improve care of access in the river systems.	Ongoing
Department of Sport and Recreation	Identification of opportunities for utilising Way for Department programs. Identification of funding sources for program implementation.	Provides another venue for Department activities. Enables opportunities for the Department to build upon a community initiative.	Ongoing
Education Department	School involvement in bush regeneration, trail related projects, environmental education, safe walking/ cycling and fitness	Provides another venue for Department activities. Enables opportunities for the Department to build upon a community initiative.	Ongoing
NSW Depart. of Aboriginal Affairs	Assist with indigenous community project participation such as through interpretive signage and Dreaming stories	Provides another venue for Department activities. Enables opportunities for the Department to build upon a community initiative.	Ongoing
Tourism NSW	Promote Great Kia'mia Way benefits statewide	Tourism potential to explore urban and rural Australia within Sydney	Ongoing
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)	Ensure that stormwater program is incorporated into environmental initiatives based on the Great Kai'mia Way. Could also be used to extend project funding to improve pedestrian access to artificial wetlands and for educational purposes.	Provides a medium to promote environmental messages and best practice	Ongoing
Federal Government Agencies , particularly the Department of Defence and Department of Finance and Industry .	Liaise with Project Advisory Board - on future land transfers and general access, safety and environmental issues. Transfer lands at Mill Creek to NSW NPWS	Provides good opportunities to work with the community and provide public benefit	Ongoing
Non-government organization and individuals	Active involvement in stewardship, bushcare, rivercare and other implementation and maintenance programs	Provides opportunities to fulfil community and individual objectives for caring for neighbourhoods and the environment, and extending recreational and learning experiences.	Ongoing

Local Government plays a crucial part in the implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way. Not only does it manage much of the land over which the Way traverses, it has the capacity to influence development. It is, therefore, recommended that the Great Kai'mia Way be written into planning documents, such as Local Environment Plans (LEPs) and Development Control Plans (DCPs), and that its implementation be supported on a consistent basis through yearly budget allocations and the allocation of S94 contributions. Such consistent budgetary allocations will also enable ongoing planning which is more likely to attract State and Federal Government grant funding.

Recommendation:

That Councils incorporate the Great Kai'mia Way route and vision for sustainability into their planning instruments and provide consistent funding through budget allocations and S94 developer contributions.

The concept and implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way has captured the imagination of many people in the Georges and Woronora River Catchments. The challenge is to capitalise on the energy the project team has unleashed and instigate a framework for implementation.

The Agenda 21 Charter recognises the important role that local government, working together with communities, have in delivering sustainability. The Way project is a prime example of such a partnership. It is also an example of a partnership where the community have taken the lead role, working together with local government authorities and other land managers to plan routes and identify the major issues confronting each section of the route.

The concept of stewardship is important for the sustainable success of the Great Kai'mia Way. It would be to the benefit of all those involved with the project to decide to foster the already strong support for the project:

Recommendation:

That Way community groups - local "friends of the Great Kai'mia Way" - be recognised and, if necessary, established to help with the implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way vision.

A key recommendation of this feasibility study is that the ongoing implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way continue to follow a community leadership role, as well as harnessing the full range of public and private funding opportunities available for implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way vision.

Funding sources include but are not limited to:

Councils - Section 94 Developer Contributions
DIPNR - Metropolitan Greenspace
DIPNR - Special Area Assistance Fund ($2,000 to $110,000)
Waterways Authority - Waterways Asset Development and Management Program (WADAMP)
Natural Heritage Trust - EnviroFund
Federal Government/ National Library of Australia/ National Archives of Australia - Community Heritage Grants
Environment Australia - Cultural Heritage Projects Program (CHPP)
NSW Environmental Protection Authority - Stormwater Trust
NSW Environmental Protection Authority - Waste Reduction Grants
NSW Environmental Protection Authority - Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants
NSW Environmental Protection Authority (Environment Trust) - Eco Schools Grants
NSW Environmental Protection Authority - NSW Wetlands Action Program
Environment Australia - Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations (program aims to provide administrative funds to ngo's)
Department of Sport and Recreation - Active Communities Grant Scheme ($1,000 to $5,000)
Department of Sport and Recreation - Capital Assistance Program
Department of Sport and Recreation - Regional Sports Facility Program
NSW Ministry of Arts - Community Cultural Development Program
NSW Fisheries - Fisheries Action Program
Sydney Catchment Authority - Catchment Protection and Improvement Grants ($8,000) (Woronora Catchment)
Heritage Office (NSW) - Heritage Incentives Program
Ian Potter Foundation - environment and conservation and education grants
Myer Foundation - Water and The Environment, Arts and Humanities, Social Justice (both for Indigenous cultural projects)
Westpac Bank - Westpac Operation Backyard (local environmental projects
BHP Billiton - Corporate Community Program

Another group who play a crucial role in the design and implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way is the aboriginal community. The Way has the potential to highlight past and present Aboriginal culture, adding to widespread efforts at Reconciliation.

Recommendation:

That the Aboriginal community be an integral partner in the design and implementation of the Great Kai'mia Way.

The Great Kai'mia Way logo could be used as a springboard for attracting private and public sector funding for a community project that has readily demonstrable community benefits and popular support.

Recommendation:

That a management and implementation system be set up that will enable:
23.1 An ongoing structure for decision making that involves land holders, land managers and interested community members, with particular note to engage the Aboriginal community;

23.2 A funding structure that encourages contribution from a wide pool of stakeholders: community, private organisations and government;

23.3 A commitment to continued promotion of the Great Kai'mia Way for environmental, cultural, recreational and health purposes;

23.4 A commitment to sustainability whilst enabling access to as many users as possible.

Appendix 12 provides a Draft Charter for the operation of such a group.

The major task of a group established under such an arrangement would be to:

Employ individuals to provide the coordination and liaison support necessary to implement the Great Kai'mia Way as detailed in this report;
To purchase such equipment and information as necessary to enable the Way project to be implemented;
To promote the Great Kai'mia Way and its vision for improved sustainable access to foreshores, increased care and maintenance of natural and cultural heritage in the surrounding area, increased recreational and health benefits, and educational opportunities; and
To provide assistance to stakeholders in achieving the objectives of the Great Kai'mia Way project.

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