Engaging the community in native fish recovery following bushfire
Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program
Fern Hames

Engaging the community in native fish recovery following bushfire
Fern Hames
Department of Sustainability and Environment 
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 
123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 
This project is No. 31 of the program ‘Rebuilding Together’ funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments’ Statewide Bushfire Recovery Plan, launched October 2009.
Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, February 2012
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Citation: Hames, F. (2012). Engaging the community in native fish recovery following bushfire: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.
Front cover photo: Australian Trout Foundation members, Arthur Rylah Institute staff and Marysville Youth Incorporated members revegetate Barred Galaxias site in Marysville (Angus Bell)

Contents
Acknowledgements 	iii
Acronyms 	iv
Summary 	v
1	Introduction	1
1.1	Objectives	1
1.2	Actions	2
2	Methods	3
3	Results	4
3.1	Sharing knowledge and building advocacy	4
3.2	Community participation in fish recovery 	6
3.2.1	Macquarie Perch	6
3.2.2	Barred Galaxias	12
4	Discussion	17
References 	20
Appendix 1 Fact Sheets	21
Appendix 2 Posters	25
Appendix 3 Marysville Signage	27
Appendix 4 Media	31

List of tables and figures
Tables
Table 1. Engagement Plan outlining the involvement of each stakeholder group 	3

Figures
Figure 1. 	Concept design for Barred Galaxias interpretive bridge, Marysville.	5
Figure 2. 	Strath Creek Landcare group involvement in Macquarie Perch spawning investigation, King Parrot Creek.	7
Figure 3. 	Strath Creek Landcare Group Newsletter.	8
Figure 4. 	Flowerdale community Environment Work Engine, community meeting and multi-agency 
working group meeting.	10
Figure 5. 	Macquarie Perch signage developed for King Parrot Creek and installed at Moore’s Road Reserve, Flowerdale. 	11
Figure 6.	Article in The Age, 7 March 2009.	12
Figure 7.	Australian Trout Foundation revegetation day to support Barred Galaxias, including snag realignment 
and fishing clinic, Marysville Lake. Revegetation in conjunction with Marysville Youth Incorporated group.	13
Figure 8.	Barred Galaxias song prepared and performed by Triangle Arts Group at Native Fish Awareness 
Week Launch, Marysville.	14
Figure 9.	Triangle Arts Group: consultation around Marysville barrier redesign and interpretive elements (with 
Gallipoli Park Management Committee), Braille sign, art activity and Barred Galaxias song performance 
at Native Fish Awareness Week launch, Barred Galaxias parade at Playspace opening, Marysville.	15
Figure 10.	Other engagement activities: Lake Mountain YMCA holiday activity, DSE Forest Officer visit to Barred 
Galaxias translocation, MDBA visit.	16
Figure 11.	ATF banner demonstrating actions to support threatened species.	17

Acknowledgements 
This project is No.31 of the ‘Rebuilding Together’ program, funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments’ Statewide Bushfire Recovery Plan, announced in October 2009. Stephen Smith (Natural Values Fire Recovery Coordinator, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)) facilitated the funding. 
This project drew on outcomes from work in other similarly-funded projects as well as those supported by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA), Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), and Federal Caring for our Country projects (CFoC). Staff from the Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) involved in the implementation of these projects include Tarmo Raadik, Jarod Lyon, Jo Kearns, Mike Nicol, Renae Ayres and Pete Fairbrother. DSE Marysville staff Gillian Pannan and Simon Gough supported local activities and collaborations on signage and information displays. Nat Morandi, Gallipoli Park Management Committee, provided valuable feedback and advice on a range of community consultative processes. Julia Peddie, Sharon Bourke and other members of the Triangle Arts Group actively supported and developed Barred Galaxias advocacy in the Marysville community in vibrant and creative ways. Katherine Masiulanis and other staff at Urban Initiatives Pty Ltd and David Mackinder, Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) assisted with incorporation of interpretive elements into the Marysville Heart Precinct. Wayne Tennant, GBCMA, provided substantial in kind and funding support for key activities supporting Macquarie Perch recovery actions in the King Parrot Creek. Sue McNair and Robert Gardiner (Murrindindi Shire) provided key connections with local government for the Flowerdale Recovery Committee/ Environment Engine. Peter Auty, John Burgess, and Trent and Vicky Patten (Flowerdale Recovery Committee / Flowerdale Environment Engine) and Dave Wakefield and Laurie Macmillan (Strath Creek Landcare Group), continue to provide leadership, passion and energy in advocating for the King Parrot Creek catchment and the Macquarie Perch population there. Dave and Laurie are also thanked for their assistance in Macquarie Perch spawning assessment in the King Parrot Creek. Mick Hall and members of the Australian Trout Foundation are thanked for their genuine commitment to working together to support Barred Galaxias. Sam Strong, Parks Victoria, assisted with organising and implementing community activities and collaborative events. 

Acronyms 
ARI	Arthur Rylah Institute
ATF	Australian Trout Foundation
CFoC	Caring for our Country
DPI FV	Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Victoria
DSE	Department of Sustainability and Environment
GBCMA	Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority
IAP2	International Association Public Participation Spectrum
MDBA	Murray-Darling Basin Authority
NECMA	North East Catchment Management Authority
NFS	Native Fish Strategy
PV	Parks Victoria
TCM	Temporary Captive Maintenance
VBRRA	Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority
VRFish	Victorian Recreational Fishers

Summary 
This project was developed to provide effective community engagement for a suite of fire recovery projects supporting two threatened native fish; Barred Galaxias and Macquarie Perch. 
Effective community and stakeholder engagement was recognised as important to ongoing, long term recovery processes for these species. It was also expected that there would be social and economic benefits with respect to community involvement (including the indigenous community) in planned community events. Activities were planned to share knowledge about the fish and fire recovery actions, and build longer term advocacy, using the full spectrum of community engagement adopted by DSE (ranging from ‘inform’ through to ‘empower’ and known as IAP2). Actions include 13 presentations (local, national and international), two fact sheets, two posters, nine activities/ events/ tours, input to two signs for Barred Galaxias, development of two dedicated signs for Macquarie Perch and development of one interpretive bridge in Marysville. Communities actively participated in fire recovery actions through involvement in spawning investigations for Macquarie Perch and revegetation of a fire affected site for Barred Galaxias. Outcomes of these actions include the successful connection of communities to the recovery stories of the fire-affected fish populations and more effective partnerships aimed at supporting longer term recovery for the two species. Recommendations for future engagement of post-emergency communities are provided. 

1	Introduction
This project was developed to provide effective community engagement for a suite of projects being undertaken under the Natural Values Recovery program (Projects 14, 16 and 18) and Caring for our Country funding (CFoC project GB02). These projects aimed to provide support for Barred Galaxias and Macquarie Perch conservation and restoration activities after the ‘Black Saturday’ fires which occurred in 2009. Effective engagement was recognised as important to ongoing and long term recovery processes for these species by gaining support amongst stakeholders and the community and building understanding into future management actions, including those undertaken by landholders. It was also expected that there would be social and economic benefits with respect to community (including indigenous community) involvement in planned community events. 
The February 2009 Victorian bushfires impacted on populations of two nationally threatened fish species; Macquarie Perch Macquaria australasica and Barred Galaxias Galaxias fuscus. The impacted Macquarie Perch population in King Parrot Creek is one of only a few populations remaining in Victoria subsequent to its decline from a previous distribution throughout the south-eastern region of the Murray-Darling Basin. Barred Galaxias is Victoria’s only endemic freshwater fish. The range of Barred Galaxias has declined significantly, with only 12 populations remaining in the cool upper headwaters of the Goulburn River system. Seven of these populations were impacted by fires and drought in 2006–07 and in February 2009 the Kilmore East Murrindindi North fire impacted on the remaining populations (Raadik et al. 2009).
Following the 2009 fires, the relevant creeks for both threatened species were surveyed and the risk of sediment mobilisation and significant reduction in water quality was assessed to be high enough to trigger salvage translocation of fish to temporary captive maintenance (TCM). Macquarie Perch from King Parrot Creek were temporarily held at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Victoria Snobs Creek Centre, Eildon and were subsequently returned to the Creek once conditions improved (December 3 2009). Barred Galaxias from eight sites were salvaged and temporarily held in chilled aquaria at the Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Sustainability and Environment (ARI DSE), Melbourne. These fish were also progressively returned to their natal streams as conditions improved (between December 2009 and March 2011).
For Macquarie Perch, continued concerns persisted about the effect of sediment on eggs and how this may impact on recruitment into the population. So few Macquarie Perch populations remain in Victoria (and indeed the Murray-Darling Basin) that successful recruitment in the remaining sites is critical. Understanding of spawning and recruitment is fragmented and more information is clearly required to enable effective actions aimed towards providing more suitable spawning and recruitment conditions. Seeking community engagement in investigations of Macquarie Perch spawning in King Parrot Creek was considered to be valuable in contributing to those investigations and building future support for the species. Communities in the fire impacted district had also already demonstrated strong advocacy for these fish populations in the past, had helped identify key sites to target fish for post-fire salvage and were keenly interested in the fire recovery actions undertaken. This project aimed to support their continued advocacy and keep the community well informed. There was also an evident need for information about the species and fire recovery actions to reach a wider audience and build greater understanding of natural values issues and recovery, and support for future actions. 
The Marysville community had also begun to build advocacy for Barred Galaxias populations and there was a need to maintain momentum and support for planned activities. In addition, the opportunity arose to build on tentative steps to collaborate with the Australian Trout Foundation (ATF) to support Barred Galaxias and dissipate historic conflict. The early steps to build a positive partnership and the high profile of the fires in the Marysville district provided a good foundation to explore a new level of collaboration. 
This report describes the engagement processes undertaken with relevant fire-affected communities to support both fish species and makes recommendations to inform future post-emergency engagement efforts.
1.1	Objectives
Objectives for the project were identified as follows:
1.	Sharing knowledge and building advocacy
•	To increase the level of knowledge and understanding within the community of the challenges, risks and opportunities in recovery of threatened Macquarie Perch and Barred Galaxias fish populations
•	To establish a long term commitment of individuals and organisations to support recovery actions for Barred Galaxias and Macquarie Perch.
2.	Community participation in fish recovery 
•	To enable members of local fire affected communities to participate in threatened fish recovery activities.
1.2	Actions
To deliver these objectives, the project planned to:
•	Consult with relevant agencies, stakeholders and scientists
•	Support community involvement in existing Natural Values Recovery Program projects for the two species, including spawning site identification for Macquarie Perch in King Parrot Creek
•	Deliver educational presentations about threatened native fish and fire recovery processes and actions to relevant communities in the Kilmore-East Murrindindi North Complex Fire area
•	Deliver presentations to other relevant stakeholders on fire recovery actions currently being undertaken
•	Develop and install educational signage at key sites to inform the broader community about threatened fish populations at specific sites and impacts on those populations
•	Develop and implement community events to build understanding of fire recovery actions and build ongoing advocacy for the two species
•	Distribute relevant information material through appropriate networks and at relevant events
•	Complement existing Natural Values Recovery Program and CFoC projects for these two species.

2	Methods
DSE uses an engagement model based on the widely adopted International Association Public Participation Spectrum (IAP2, DSE 2005). This approach provides continuity for engagement processes, from one-way communication (informing) to consulting, involving, collaborating and ultimately empowering individuals and groups in decision making. Engagement is defined as “planned and purposeful relationship building for decision making to achieve project outcomes, the relationship being both internal and external to DSE” (DSE 2010).
In this project, a Communication Strategy was developed to identify the relevant stakeholders and audiences, the key messages and appropriate engagement levels and tools for each. Active decisions were made around timing of engagement and best engagement methods for each audience and phase. Such decisions were regularly reviewed, particularly as new groups and champions emerged. Some methods were selected simply to provide information, while signage was designed to provide tangible and enduring information well into the future. Other methods were aimed at building relationships and long term advocacy and empowering communities. The Engagement Plan (Table 1) provides a summary of the engagement approach, including the identified stakeholders. 
Table 1. Engagement Plan outlining the involvement of each stakeholder group. 
ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT	
INFORM	CONSULT	INVOLVE	COLLABORATE	EMPOWER	
Marysville /Triangle community
Flowerdale community
Government agencies (DSE, Parks Victoria, DPI FV, GBCMA, MDBA)
Landcare groups
Murrindindi Shire
Marysville Heart precinct project team
Gallipoli Park Management Committee 
Broader community`	Gallipoli Park Management Committee
Murrindindi Shire
Moore’s Road Committee of Management 
DSE
Indigenous community (Taungurung)
Community Recovery Committees
	Landcare groups
Australian Trout Foundation
Cathedral Cluster schools
Local service groups
Flowerdale Environment Engine	ARI specialists (for Barred Galaxias and Macquarie Perch)
Murrindindi Shire
Parks Victoria
Marysville Heart precinct project team
Gallipoli Park Management Committee
Triangle Arts Group
Australian Trout Foundation
Cathedral Cluster schools	Flowerdale Environment Engine
Strath Creek Landcare group
Triangle Arts Group	
Tools:	Tools:	Tools:	Tools:	Tools:	
Media Releases
Radio program
Fact Sheets
Posters
Displays
Signage 
Presentations
Text messages
Video	Presentations
Field trips
Briefings	Briefings
Meetings 
Field trips
Actions, e.g. revegetation day
Involvement in spawning investigation	Meetings
Site visits
Field Day
Actions, e.g. revegetation day
	Meetings 
Reports
Involvement in activities such as spawning investigation	
Promise:	Promise:	Promise:	Promise:	Promise:	
We will keep you informed	We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge your concerns and provide feedback on how your input influenced the decision	We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are directly reflected in the alternatives developed and provide feedback on how your feedback influenced the decision	We will look to you for direct advice and innovation in formulating solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible	We will implement what you decide	

3	Results
For each affected fish species, a suite of activities were planned for each of the two objectives: sharing knowledge and building advocacy, and community participation in fish recovery. Case studies for community participation in fish recovery are presented for each species.
3.1	Sharing knowledge and building advocacy
A suite of actions were undertaken to share knowledge and build understanding about the threatened native fish species in the fire-affected area. These actions focussed largely on the Inform end of the engagement spectrum, but also included actions which Consulted and Involved people, and invited and initiated Collaboration and Empowerment.
Events were aimed to:
•	support community involvement in fire recovery for the two species
•	deliver educational presentations about threatened native fish and fire recovery processes to relevant communities in fire affected areas
•	deliver presentations to other relevant stakeholders on fire recovery actions
•	offer community events to build understanding of fire recovery actions and build ongoing advocacy for the two species
•	distribute relevant information material through appropriate networks and at relevant events, and 
•	develop and install educational signage at key sites to inform the broader community about threatened fish populations at specific sites and impacts on those populations.
Actions included 13 presentations, two fact sheets, two posters, nine activities/events/tours, input to two signs about Barred Galaxias, development of two dedicated signs about Macquarie Perch and development of one interpretive bridge. Details are as follows:
Presentations:
•	VR Fish meeting: ‘Native Fish Strategy’ presentation (including fire recovery actions) May 2009
•	Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Native Fish Forum September 2009 Albury: presentation ‘Bushfire and threatened species’ (Lyon & Hames 2009)
•	Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) Research Day September 2009: presentation ‘Healthy Fish, Healthy Rivers – Fish & Fires’
•	Murrindindi Climate Network Annual General Meeting Molesworth, November 2009: presentation ‘Fish & Fires’
•	DSE Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services senior staff tour November 2009
•	Alexandra Secondary College presentations to senior students studying threatened species: ‘Healthy Fish, Healthy Rivers – Fish & Fires’ November 2009 
•	Strath Creek Landcare Group meeting March 2010: presentation ‘Healthy Fish, Healthy Rivers – Fish & Fires’
•	MDBA NFS team tour July 2010 (Figure 10)
•	MDBA Native Fish Forum 2010 Canberra: presentation ‘Fish & Fires: Victorian bushfire recovery 18 months on’ September 2010 (Hames 2010)
•	MDBA Native Fish Awareness Week 2010 launch: short presentation and activities for young people, performance of Barred Galaxias song by Triangle Arts Group and kindergarten children, Welcome to Country and ochre painting activities by Taungurung elder. November 2010
•	Development and distribution of a Questionnaire seeking input and feedback on an interpretive bridge design in Marysville (Figure 1). The questionnaire was available at the Native Fish Awareness Week event, Lake Mountain Music Festival event, Marysville Rebuilding Advisory Centre / Information Centre, Marysville supermarket centre information desk and Marysville DSE office.
•	DSE forests staff accompanied Barred Galaxias translocation to new site December 2010 (Figure 10)
•	YMCA Youth Holiday Program Lake Mountain Day: stream-side walk & talk and kite-making activity, focussing on Barred Galaxias January 2011 (Figure 10)
•	Lake Mountain Music Festival: display on fire recovery actions for fish, consultation with local people on interpretive bridge design for Marysville, focussing on Barred Galaxias. March 2011 
•	Upper Goulburn Field Naturalists meeting, Alexandra: presentation ‘The Native Fish Strategy and Fish & Fires’ March 2011
•	Flowerdale Community Recovery Group/ Environment Engine special meeting, presentation ‘Native Fish. Maccas and the King Parrot Creek’ March 2011
•	Alexandra Secondary College presentations to senior students studying threatened species: ‘Healthy Fish, Healthy Rivers – Fish & Fires’ March 2011
•	Barred Galaxias Art Installation, Marysville Playspace opening April 2011
•	Marysville Information Centre; display April 2011–ongoing
•	Flowerdale Community Recovery Group/ Environment Engine multi-agency meeting May 2011
•	Triangle Community Fire Recovery Presentation Evening, Buxton: presentation ‘Focus on Fuscus – Native Fish Fire Recovery’ June 2011
•	Wangaratta High School presentation to students studying threatened species: ‘Fish & Chips, Snags & Ladders’ (including fire recovery actions) June 2011
•	6th World Recreational Fishing Conference, Berlin: presentation on the ATF Marysville project as a Case Study in building collaboration with recreational fishers, ‘Science & recreational fishery management – how can we improve the collaboration?’ August 2011 (Publication in prep.)
•	Fact Sheet: Barred Galaxias Fire Recovery Actions (Appendix 1)
•	Fact Sheet: Macquarie Perch Fire Recovery Actions (Appendix 1)
•	Poster: Barred Galaxias Fire Recovery Actions 
(Appendix 2)
•	Poster: Macquarie Perch Fire Recovery Actions 
(Appendix 2).

Signage:
•	Input to new signage at Keppel Falls, Lady Talbot Drive (Barred Galaxias, Appendix 3)
•	Input to new DSE signage at Beauty Spot Nature Trail walk, Marysville (Barred Galaxias, Appendix 3)
•	Development of Macquarie Perch signage for Moore’s Road Reserve, Flowerdale and Burslem’s Bridge, Strath Creek (Figure 5) (installed in Native Fish Awareness Week 2011).
•	Development of Barred Galaxias interpretive elements in new Marysville Heart Precinct (interpretive bridge) (Figure 1 and Appendix 3).
Media: 
•	Alexandra & Eildon Standard
•	Triangle News
•	Flowerdale Flyer
•	Strath Ck Landcare Newsletter
•	The Age 
•	UGFM local radio (Appendix 3).

Figure 1. Concept design for Barred Galaxias interpretive bridge, Marysville.
3.2	Community participation in fish recovery 
Specific groups and communities were targeted to build longer term advocacy for the threatened fish species in the fire affected area. Engagement actions across the whole spectrum (from inform to empower) were employed to build partnerships and ownership. Actions to encourage active participation in fish recovery are described below.
3.2.1	Macquarie Perch
Participation in the recovery of Macquarie Perch was facilitated through:
•	Involvement of Strath Creek Landcare group members in spawning investigations in King Parrot Creek (Figure 2) and
•	Active support to establish a Flowerdale stakeholder group to advocate and act for Macquarie Perch in the longer term (Figure 4).
3.2.1.1	Case Study – Strath Creek Landcare Group
The Strath Creek Landcare Group has demonstrated solid advocacy for the Macquarie Perch population in King Parrot Creek for several years. The Group has hosted presentations on the Macquarie Perch at Group meetings, implemented substantial riparian revegetation, assisted with a local ‘Perch in Peril’ awareness campaign and included information about the species and its threats in regular Group newsletters. Immediately after the 2009 fires Group members provided valuable advice on specific stream sites to collect fish for salvage. 
The concurrent fire recovery project “Identification and protection of key spawning habitats for Macquarie perch in King Parrot Creek” (Kearns et al. 2011) provided an opportunity to directly involve Strath Creek Landcare Group members in activities which would help continue to build awareness of and connection with the Macquarie Perch population. The activity was also expected to inform ongoing habitat rehabilitation by landholders and support longer term advocacy. 
Group members met ARI research staff at pre-arranged sites along King Parrot Creek in November 2010 and assisted with checking and re-setting fyke nets, collecting debris from larval nets and sorting debris for eggs (Figure 2). This effort proved useful in assisting researchers as well as in creating valuable opportunities for extended conversations about the creek, the fish population, threats, recovery and rehabilitation and strengthened ongoing understanding and advocacy by the group for the Macquarie Perch population in the creek. Information about the activity was shared in the Group’s newsletter (Figure 3). Group members also provided advice to a meeting organised by the neighbouring Flowerdale community to support Macquarie Perch in their local stretch of King Parrot Creek.
Figure 2. Strath Creek Landcare group involvement in Macquarie Perch spawning investigation, King Parrot Creek.
Figure 3. Strath Creek Landcare Group Newsletter, with Macquarie Perch update.
 
3.2.1.2	Case study – Flowerdale community
After the 2009 fires, Community Recovery Committees were established in 33 fire-impacted areas (www.rdv.vic.gov.au/fire-recovery-unit/local-communities). These groups formally ended on 30 June 2011 but many of the key representatives have remained active and are contributing to ongoing fire recovery activities in a range of organisations. Many communities have built substantial community capacity through the recovery committees and this capacity is being transferred into new forums. 
In Flowerdale, the Community Recovery Committee has morphed into several ‘Work Engines’, one of which is the Flowerdale Environment Engine. This group received funding support from the DPI Fisheries Victoria ‘Adopt-a-Stream’ program to undertake weed (blackberry) control in the vicinity of King Parrot Creek. After consultation with DSE, the group (involving approximately 70 landholders) readily agreed to adjust their weed control program to consider potential threats to Macquarie Perch. A presentation about the Macquarie Perch population to a group meeting triggered a very strong interest in the group to do more to support the fish population and advocate for the Macquarie Perch (Figure 4). The group then established a multi-agency group to explore the development of a catchment plan for the valley and explore a suite of rehabilitation actions. The group drew together representatives from DSE, the GBCMA, DPI Fisheries Victoria, the MDBA Native Fish Strategy, Murrindindi Shire, the Moore’s Road Reserve Committee of Management and the Strath Creek Landcare Group (Figure 4). The GBCMA provided funds to support development of a King Parrot Creek Management Plan and Regional Development Victoria provided funds to support habitat rehabilitation. 
The establishment of these groups, processes and partnerships provides good support to ongoing, long term advocacy and support for the Macquarie Perch population in King Parrot Creek. As an initial step, signage about the population and fire recovery actions was designed (Figure 5) and installed at two sites on King Parrot Creek; the Moore’s Road Reserve Flowerdale (Figure 5) and Burslem’s Bridge Strath Creek. 
 Figure 4. Flowerdale community Environment Work Engine, community meeting and multi-agency working group meeting.
Figure 5. Macquarie Perch signage developed for King Parrot Creek and installed at Moore’s Road Reserve, Flowerdale. 
3.2.2	Barred Galaxias
Participation in the recovery of Barred Galaxias was facilitated through:
•	On site actions to connect the ATF with scientists and managers and build a constructive partnership, and 
•	Support to the local Marysville community to advocate and act for Barred Galaxias.
3.2.2.1	Case Study – Australian Trout Foundation
There has been a significant level of conflict in the past between some trout anglers and scientists working to protect threatened native fish species such as the Barred Galaxias. The conflict has precluded the development of a good relationship or dialogue between the two perspectives, and resulted in significant misunderstandings. Barred Galaxias has suffered a severe decline, especially since the introduction of Rainbow trout and Brown trout in Victoria, as the small (up to 160 mm) fish is vulnerable to predation by these introduced trout species (Raadik et al. 2009). 
In 2008 renewed efforts were made to establish an effective relationship between the different parties, improve communication and understandings and resolve the conflict. Conversations began between the relevant individuals and stakeholders, the conflict was examined, and commitments were made to continue dialogue and work together on some small, achievable, tangible issues which could demonstrate a collaborative approach and build the relationship.
The February 2009 fires had a particularly large impact on the small town of Marysville, resulting in a major media profile for the area and an outpouring of broader community generosity and a desire to help the district in a myriad of ways. Marysville is at the heart of Barred Galaxias country. Scientists undertook fish salvage from some sites and translocated them to temporary captive maintenance in chilled aquaria until the habitat in natal streams improved. This story also generated substantial media profile (e.g. Figure 6).
The high profile of stories around the Marysville bushfires, coupled with the subsequent desire of people to help, and the improving relationship and trust built between the trout anglers and scientists provided a foundation for taking action. A group of trout anglers from the Australian Trout Foundation worked with ARI staff to re-vegetate a stretch of stream in Marysville recognised as Barred Galaxias habitat and also re-aligned some large woody debris in the adjacent Marysville Lake to provide habitat for the entire fish community in the lake (Figure 7). The activity provided an opportunity for the anglers and scientists to meet, talk, work together, share lunch, and commit to working together on further projects. 
The ATF subsequently used images of the day’s activities to promote to its constituents that such activities are part of their role, and that they are supportive of threatened species programs. Although only a small and simple activity, the day provided an example of the capacity of the two perspectives to work together and a basis for future collaboration.
Since then, there has been further collaboration in a 
range of activities and projects, including an oral histories project, planning and participation in activities forming 

part of an annual Native Fish Awareness Week and substantial discussion and subsequent agreement and support for extra translocation and monitoring sites for the Barred Galaxias. The ATF has also undertaken the role of ‘Guardian of the Trout Barrier’ in Marysville – a highly significant demonstration of resolution of the past conflict, and an indication that there has been substantial improvement in support for the Barred Galaxias and its long term recovery actions.
3.2.2.2	Marysville Community
In a collaborative partnership with this project, the annual MDBA Native Fish Strategy Native Fish Awareness Week launch was held in Marysville to celebrate fire recovery actions for threatened fish. 
Local Taungurung elder Uncle Roy Patterson delivered a Welcome to Country, and staff from the MDBA, DSE, Parks Victoria, GBCMA and Native Fish Strategy personnel from all around the Murray-Darling Basin led a suite of activities. Students from four local schools (Alexandra Secondary College, Alexandra Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and Marysville Primary School) and the Marysville playgroup/ kindergarten children participated in a set of rotating sessions learning about native fish and river health, and creating sculpture and painted Barred Galaxias in art workshops (Figure 9). Separate art workshops were delivered by Uncle Roy (ochre art), a local artist (wire fish sculptures) and the Triangle Arts Group (painted shoe innersoles to resemble Barred Galaxias). The event was well supported by local community members representing the Gallipoli Park Management Committee, the Triangle Arts Group and the Marysville Lions Club. 
This involvement was followed up with valuable advice and support from the Gallipoli Park Management Committee in developing interpretive displays for Barred Galaxias around Marysville. The Triangle Arts Group took on a particularly strong advocacy role for the Barred Galaxias through: writing and performing a song about the fish at the Native Fish Awareness Week launch event (Figure 8); developing Barred Galaxias signage (including Braille) for the new Marysville Playspace; facilitating the creation of more than 100 Barred Galaxias ‘fish on sticks’; conducting a Barred Galaxias parade of these sticks at the high-profile Playspace opening event and creating a temporary art installation of these ‘fish on-sticks’ in the creek (Figure 9). The group also maintained a strong interest and involvement in the development of interpretive elements for Barred Galaxias in the Marysville Heart Precinct, including attending multi-stakeholder meetings and providing design ideas and feedback. These actions have established a strong foundation for ongoing, long term support, as well as involvement in and advocacy for Barred Galaxias recovery actions.
Figure 7. Australian Trout Foundation revegetation day to support Barred Galaxias, including snag realignment and fishing clinic, Marysville Lake. Revegetation in conjunction with Marysville Youth Incorporated group.

Figure 9. Triangle Arts Group: consultation around Marysville barrier redesign and interpretive elements (with Gallipoli Park Management Committee), Braille sign, art activity and Barred Galaxias song performance at Native Fish Awareness Week launch, Barred Galaxias parade at Playspace opening, Marysville.

Figure 10. Other engagement activities: Lake Mountain YMCA holiday activity, DSE Forest Officer visit to Barred Galaxias translocation, MDBA visit.

4  Discussion 
Outcomes from effective engagement were expected to include increased community understanding and advocacy for both species, and effective linkages between a range of projects supporting fire-affected threatened fish populations. These outcomes were met through building on old and new relationships, being mindful of timing of engagement, being flexible and being open to possibilities.
Long term monitoring of Barred Galaxias and Macquarie Perch populations over the last few years has proved to be invaluable in supporting emergency response for these species. Of particular importance was information on specific locations of high priority fish populations, to support targeted site assessments and salvage actions. Just as this investment is recognised, well-established relationships with stakeholders were also important in supporting the emergency response and recovery processes. Existing relationships and networks and established trust enabled rapid and effective connections with communities and agencies post-fire, when time constraints precluded relationship-establishment. Such existing relationships laid the foundation for a positive and productive response to a range of issues. 
Existing relationships also enabled the recovery process and effective communications to begin early and avoid community misunderstandings around recovery actions or perceived inaction. Indeed there is merit in beginning recovery whilst still in a suppression/response stage, rather than transitioning to recovery as a separate, subsequent process. Such a continuum would be very effectively supported by appointing natural values officers in Incident Management Teams and by actively accessing local knowledge from both natural values specialists and stakeholder/community engagement staff. 
Although it is important to begin engagement with communities at an early stage post-emergency, it is also important to be mindful that different people in the community will have had a wide range of experiences and will be at very different stages of dealing with the event and those experiences (Hawe 2009). When events involve substantial human trauma, we must be highly sensitive to likely responses, and recognise that people’s focus will be on immediate human needs in the immediate post-emergency phase. Messages around natural values responses must be carefully timed. Our methodology involved very careful consideration of timing of various forms of engagement and, particularly in early stages, was directed to special interest forums, organised by community members for an audience well ready for such information, to which we contributed information about fire recovery for natural values. 
Genuine and effective engagement can really only occur when we have a good understanding of a particular community, including its values, priorities and champions. Existing relationships and understandings of the relevant communities from pre-fire engagement were useful, but it was critically important to also recognise the changes in those communities. Recent research (Gordon 2009) indicates that post-impact communities are generally far more complex and fractured, with altered perspectives and priorities, than their pre-impact state. This was apparent in the post-fire community in 2009. Existing champions were key contacts throughout this process, and new organisations and emerging leaders were also important. It was important to identify all the relevant individuals and groups, and actively scan for new leaders and groups as they emerged.
Such was the scale of the 2009 bushfires that there was enormous media profile of particular communities. The media exposure generated enormous goodwill from the broader community, and instigated many strong responses from people to provide help in a range of ways. This provided opportunities to engage people or organisations in conversations which previous to this event may have proved difficult. Although in the past, there had been a poor relationship, with much distrust, between the Australian Trout Foundation (ATF) and some native fish scientists and conservationists in Victoria, the ATF was keen to become actively involved in a fire recovery project 
in the Marysville district. This opportunity was seized and the group undertook revegetation at a Barred Galaxias site. This activity has subsequently been used by the ATF to demonstrate their support for threatened species (Figure 11). The ATF has subsequently become involved in further conversations exploring Barred Galaxias recovery, such as support for new translocation sites, and have also become ‘Guardians of the Trout Barrier’ in Marysville. Such actions represent a significant shift in the relationship between the two perspectives. These actions also demonstrate the power of small, simple activities to provide a step towards more complex actions and positive outcomes in threatened species management in the longer term.
During the fire recovery period, communities learnt much and became very adept at governance and effective community processes. In some instances, this increased community capacity has supported the evolution of very effective community groups undertaking longer term advocacy for environmental issues and management. For example, the Flowerdale Fire Recovery Committee worked very successfully in the immediate post-fire phase to secure recovery support for the Flowerdale area which was responsive to the needs and priorities of the community, rather than externally driven. This committee evolved into several ‘work engines’ – one of which is the Flowerdale Environment Engine. This group secured funding from DPI FV for an ‘Adopt-A-Stream’ project to undertake blackberry control along King Parrot Creek, involving 70 landholders. The group then connected with DSE staff in this project, modified their weed control activities to support the nationally threatened Macquarie Perch in the creek, held a community meeting to provide information about the Macquarie Perch (supported by this project) and have formed a multi-agency group to work towards developing a catchment plan for King Parrot Creek. The GBCMA and Regional Development Victoria are making substantial investments to support development of the catchment plan and habitat rehabilitation. The elevated capacity of the community to provide active engagement with a wide group of stakeholders, combined with active engagement through this project generated substantial local advocacy and State funding to support longer term recovery for both the catchment and the community.
It was evident in the myriad of connections with individuals throughout this project that the stories of natural values recovery (in this case fish) had the power to effectively support human recovery. People strongly identified with the stories of fish being moved from their fire-affected ‘homes’ and living in a more secure environment until their ‘home’ recovered. The synergies of their shared journey supported strong attachments by the community to the threatened fish and is continuing to support solid ongoing advocacy which we expect to persist in the longer term. An expert international panel (Hawe 2009), has noted five essential components of successful community recovery, including:
•	Safety;
•	Calming;
•	Hope;
•	Connectedness;
•	Self and collective efficacy (i.e. confidence, power, capacity to get life back together).
The stories of fish recovery gave people hope and re-connected them back to the environment. This project’s range of activities also supported the principles listed above and feedback from participants suggested that they have also contributed to a sense of community connectedness and capacity to ‘get life back together’. Involving people in decision making around issues such as interpretive design features was essential to this process. This is consistent with findings which recommend recovery programs employ actions which reconnect people to place, and which empower people to play active roles in the recovery process (Hawe 2009, Gordon 2009, VBRRA 2009).
This project carefully considered the use of appropriate media for different messages or objectives. For this reason, general communications about designing interpretive elements in Marysville targeted local media (e.g. the Triangle News local weekly newsletter and displays at local venues such as the supermarket and Information Centre). More focussed individual discussions, which provided the opportunity to answer questions and address concerns, were enabled through events such as staffed displays at the Native Fish Awareness Week launch in Marysville and the Lake Mountain Music Festival. 
Metropolitan media was targeted for broader interest messages such as success in breeding Barred Galaxias (see Appendix 4). Text messages were used to disseminate immediate updates to key stakeholders (such as the re-discovery of Barred Galaxias in Robertson’s Gully near Marysville, exactly two years post-fire). The development of some of the communication tools during this project was hampered by outdated IT technologies on DSE and PV computer systems. To make the best use of emerging social media and engaging methods of communication, it is recommended that State government computer systems (e.g. internet browsers) be updated to reflect the need to readily and regularly use such technologies and more effectively engage with a range of stakeholders and the broader community. 
Project recommendations can be summarised as:
•	Invest in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in communities and agencies supporting threatened species on an ongoing basis to support ‘surge’ demand during emergency events
•	Appoint natural values officers in Incident Management Teams, as well as connecting natural values specialists and engagement specialists as required to begin recovery at the earliest possible stage
•	Identify changes in community structure in a post-emergency community and connect with both new and emerging organisations and leaders
•	Apply adaptive management principles to ensure flexibility and adaptability of staff working with post-emergency communities
•	Organise and schedule information sharing to acknowledge people are at different are stages of recovery. Early events in particular should ‘piggy back‘ 
on relevant existing organisations’ events, to enable opt-in for those interested 
•	Share stories of natural values recovery to assist human recovery and build connections for both short and longer term advocacy
•	Genuinely involve people in decision making
•	Use appropriate media and invest in keeping up to date.

References 
DSE. 2005. Effective Engagement: Building relationships with community and other stakeholders – An introduction to engagement. The Community Engagement Network, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.
DSE. 2010. Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) Engagement Snapshot Report. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne
Gordon, R. 2009. Community and psychological responses to disaster. APS briefing. 
Hames, F. 2010. Victorian bushfire recovery 18 months on. In: Pritchard,J. (ed) Proceedings of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Native Fish Forum 2010, 15–16 September, Canberra, Murray-Darling Basin Authority pp. 76–82. 
Hawe, P. 2009. Community recovery after the February 2009 Victorian bushfires: An Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute (http://www.saxinstitute. org.au) for the Public Health Branch, Victorian Government Department of Health.
Kearns, J, Tonkin, Z., O’Mahony, J. and Lyon, J. 2011. Identification and protection of key spawning habitats for Macquarie Perch in King Parrot Creek: Black Saturday Victoria 2009 – Natural Values fire recovery program. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Victoria.
Lyon, J. and Hames, F. 2009. Bushfires and threatened species. In Pritchard, J. (ed) Proceedings of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Native Fish Forum, 1–2 September, 2009, Albury, Murray-Darling Basin Authority pp. 74–81.
Raadik,T., Fairbrother, P.S. and Nicol, M. 2009. Barred Galaxias, Galaxias fuscus, recovery actions: fire and drought impacts – summary report 2007–2008. Client Report prepared for the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg.
VBRRA. 2009. Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority’s Community Engagement Strategy. Available at: http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/about-us

Appendix 1  Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheets

Appendix 2  Posters
Posters 
Appendix 3  Marysville Signage
Concept design for Barred Galaxias interpretive bridge, Marysville. 

Bridge is currently under construction (November 2011).

Detail of disks for Barred Galaxias interpretive bridge, Marysville.

Barred Galaxias sign installed at Keppel Falls walk by Parks Victoria– input provided to content by project staff.

Barred Galaxias sign installed at ‘Beauty Spot’ walk Marysville by DSE– input provided to content by project staff.
Appendix 4  Media
Alexandra Standard June 8 2011.

AustAsia Aquaculture magazine.

The Age Friday 25 February 2011.

Regrowth magazine – December 2010.

Triangle News, community newsletter – December 10 2010.

Alexandra Standard 15 December 2010.

Triangle News, community newsletter –October 29 2010.

The Alexandra & Eildon Standard, Wednesday 16 February 2011.

The Alexandra & Eildon Standard, Wednesday 13 April 2011.

The Alexandra & Eildon Standard, Wednesday 25 May 2011.

The Alexandra & Eildon Standard, Wednesday 6 April 2011.