Projects
National Park Lease negotiation
Assisting clients to change their Queensland Land Act lease to a lease under section 35 of the Nature Conservation Act. Preparing Environmental Management Plans, negotiating with Government and National Parks officers to gain mutual agreement, developing partnerships with traditional owners
General Manager roles
General Manager of Beluga Expeditions - a 34 meter superyacht and three big game fishing vessels - based out of Port Douglas, Queensland. Full P&L and operational responsibility
Asian Development Bank - Tourism Expert Panel
Selected as an Individual Consultant on the Asian Development Bank's "Panel of Tourism Experts" under the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative.
Design and Implementation of Eco-Destination Certification
Design and criteria development, pilot program management, program launch, partnership development with ‘Green Destinations’ (Netherlands), partnership with WWF Australia, secured sixteen destinations.
WWF Bushfire Recovery Project
The 2019/20 bushfires in Australia caused significant devastation to Australia’s East and South coast with whole towns and communities destroyed. Extensive native bushlands areas were burnt to a degree where recovery wasn’t assured.
I negotiated a partnership with WWF Australia where Ecotourism Australia would work closely with twelve bushfire affected local government areas to assist in their recovery through ‘building back better’ by adopting ecotourism principles.
Ecotourism Business Planning and Site Assessment - Solomon Islands
On-site development of business plans for ecotourism resorts and tours - Market research, budget development, strategic planning & staff training. Preliminary assessment for Eco-Destination Certification. Stakeholder meetings and gap analysis for trekking opportunities (Western Province)
Ecotourism Certification and Standards - Vanuatu
Multi-year project with up to four visits p/year to design, pilot and implement a comprehensive program for community-based ecotourism operators. Ecotourism training, Program design & evaluation, certification design, program acquittals.
Global Eco Conference program design
Nine years of Program design, sponsorship negotiation, expression of interest process, keynote speaker, ‘host’ of conference.
Safety Package Design and Management - Kokoda Track - PNG
Program design and funding application ($5.6M), recruitment and management of contract implementation team, procurement of specialist suppliers, diplomatic communications (Australian & PNG Governments).
The program undertook tasks such as – repairs and upgrade of Kokoda Airstrip, install new network of village-based radios, resurface eleven kilometers of gravel road, build village based health centers, employ and manage new Ranger staff, develop new maps and guides, implement a tour operator licensing system and porter standards, design and deliver porter and tour operator training programs.
Tour Operator Licensing System - Kokoda Track - PNG
Research and negotiate (with my existing National Park network) to design a fit for purpose tour operator licensing system that delivers benefit to land owners, certainty to tour operators, fair working conditions for porters and a financial return for the organization, landowners and the local governments.
Business Sustainability - Kokoda Track - PNG
Recover stolen funds, build staffing structure, implement business systems and controls, create a financially sustainable model, build positive relationships (build trust) with landowners, PNG & Australian government officials, provide governance advice to the new Board, work with the tour operators to accept the new licensing system and other controls, mentor and empower a locally engaged CEO. Today the organization is still solvent and delivering on its charter – using systems I developed.
Bushfire Recovery - ACT Parks & Conservation
Develop a works program, funding proposals and become the ‘clients representative’ on major projects within the national parks estate. Significant projects were developed far above the initial budget of $24M that included:
- Creation of the “Sanctuary’ at Tidbinbilla (a 100-hectare predator proof enclosure with endangered species breeding facilities)
- Development of Stromlo Forest Park – world class mountain bike, criterium cycling track, cross county running track & horse-riding facility.
- Development of the National Arboretum (250 hectare site with over 44,000 species of trees)
- Rebuilding of bushfire resilient ranger housing, ‘pise’ construction heritage buildings, heritage structures - shearing sheds,
- Significant fencing