Alliance Update

michelleliddy
Apr 8
3 min read

Feedback survey results: Proposed changes, incorporation and additional activities

In the December edition of New Leaf, we featured the article ‘ISG Presentation Summary and Recommendations’, which provided an overview of the Interim Steering Group (ISG) Chair, Penny Scott’s presentation at the 2024 annual event.

During her presentation, a series of survey questions were posed to the audience and members through Mentimeter to gather feedback on proposed steering group changes, thoughts on incorporation, and two activities that lie outside the scope of the Alliance’s Coordination Team. A link to the Mentimeter survey was also included in the December 2024 edition of New Leaf to capture feedback from those unable to attend.

The full survey results can downloaded below.

Moving Forward: Member-led Steering Group

One of the key outcomes from the survey results that we will be progressing, is the transition to a member-representative steering group, which received 88% support.

Currently, the Alliance has an Interim Steering Group (ISG) that was formed in 2023 through an expression of interest process. ISG members were selected by an independent selection committee based on their skills and experience to help build the Alliance, with Alliance membership not a consideration.

Two years on, and with 88% support in favour of a member-led steering group, we are now taking the necessary steps to form the Alliance Steering Group.

Alliance Steering Group

The Alliance Steering Group (ASG) will:

Consist of 5-7 individuals.
Be drawn from the Alliance membership.
Be skills-based and reflective of the diversity of groups and individuals involved in restoration and stewardship across the Wet Tropics region.
Be diverse with respect to gender, cultural and professional background, and location.

The 5-7 individuals will be selected based on meeting one or more of the following skill sets:

Indigenous knowledge and ecological solutions
Science and research
Restoration experience
Natural capital investment (e.g. Carbon farming or biodiversity credits)
Advocacy and community engagement
Sustainable farming and/or land management

As with the ISG selection, the method of selecting the ASG members will be through an expression of interest process, where interested applicants address selection criteria based on the above skill sets. EOIs will be assessed by an Independent Selection Committee against the terms of reference.

Progressing from ISG to ASG - Approximate timeline:

Mid to late April 2025: Call for EOIs. Method: Email, social media and website. Submissions can be sent via the Alliance website or direct email.
Mid to late May 2025: EOI submission deadline. Submissions will be collated and provided to the Independent Selection Committee.
June to July 2025: EOIs will be assessed by the Independent Selection Committee against the terms of reference, and recommendations will be made.
July to August 2025: ASG member positions will be offered. ASG members finalised.
September 2025: First official meeting of the newly formed Alliance Steering Group.

Not an Alliance member?

To sit on the ASG, you'll need to be a member of the Alliance. But don’t worry, signing up is easy (and free!). If you're a long-time supporter and active participant in our workshops and field trips, why not take the next step and become a member? Visit our membership page to discover the benefits and apply today.

Interim Steering Group update

For the past two years, the Interim Steering Group (ISG) has generously shared their time, knowledge and expertise to help build the Alliance. What started as an idea presented at the 2021 Symposium has now evolved into a network of organisations and individuals united by the shared goal of ensuring the survival of the Wet Tropics of Queensland forests.

A heartfelt thank you goes to each of the ISG members for their dedication: Penny Scott, Carla Catterall, Stephen Purcell, Noel Preece, Peter Rowles, Allison Halliday, Howard Smith, and Julia Leu.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Penny, Noel, and Julia, who are stepping down from the ISG. The remaining members of the ISG during this transition period will be Carla Catterall, Stephen Purcell, Peter Rowles, Allison Halliday, and Howard Smith.