ISG presentation summary and recommendations

The Wet Tropics Restoration Alliance (the Alliance) was launched in September 2022 and the Alliance Interim Steering Group (ISG) that formed in June 2023, has now been actively meeting for 18 months. ISG members agree that one of their major functions is to consult with the Alliance membership and provide options for an Alliance governance structure moving forward. 

The ISG presentation given by Chair, Penny Scott, at the Annual Event on Friday 6 December provided event participants a snapshot of the Alliance Coordination Team’s activities over the past year. The Coordination Team includes the Restoration Alliance Coordinator, Kylie Freebody, and Support Officer, Michelle Liddy, with support from the ISG and the Alliance founding members (Terrain, JCU and WTMA). Information was presented on the:

• collective vision and purpose of the Alliance 

• current and proposed future ISG structural arrangements, and,

• Coordination Team workplan for 2025

Currently the Alliance is an informal network made up of numerous organisations, some individuals and the founding members. The role of Alliance members is to collaborate, share knowledge, influence science and advocate for support for increased wet tropics restoration. 

The ISG role has been defined as providing support for the Coordination Team to deliver the annual workplan activities, and, to address emerging Alliance-related issues or opportunities as they arise. The ISG members were selected by an independent selection panel for their skills and experience to help build the Alliance. ISG members were not required to be Alliance members.

The current ISG recommends that the steering group becomes member-led and is made up of Alliance members that reflect the diversity of restoration communities and a range of skills and expertise. This would become the Alliance Steering Group (ASG).

Working groups can be formed to provide specific input to assist the Coordination Team and the ASG in progressing activities.

The Alliance could also move towards becoming incorporated which would allow for more complex arrangements such as obtaining grant funding directly and contracting. A summary slide was displayed that showed the pros and cons for becoming incorporated.

The Alliance Workplan 2025 outlines activities for the Coordination Team to undertake. It contains core activities and key projects that are funded including, coordinating ISG/ASG meetings, New Leaf newsletters, field days, workshops, the annual event, and development of Alliance tools and products to support restoration. 

Two additional activities not fully resourced are also listed in the workplan. Some scoping work is required to determine their feasibility, how they could be undertaken and what are appropriate timeframes. Feedback was requested on these two activities and any people/groups interested in participating in working groups are sought to advance the proposed activities. 

The presentation concluded with some survey questions, with the results being displayed in real time on the screen. Participants were asked questions about

• Role of the Alliance Steering Group

• Slight adjustments to composition of the Alliance Steering Group

• Need/timing for Alliance becoming an incorporated entity

• Interest in a working group to prepare scoping documents for additional activities.

• The timing and method of making these changes

Results from those present can be viewed here.

Further feedback is required from members of the restoration community not present at the annual event. If you would like to provide your input, the survey can be accessed here. If you were present but unable to access the survey due to connection issues, please follow the link and try again.

Early in 2025 Kylie and Michelle will seek further input from those groups/individuals who have not had a chance to respond to the survey. Following this the feedback will be compiled and then distributed via the Restoration Alliance mailout list.