Misleading the House and the People of Victoria

The Committee of Management sets out the facts.

1. 1. Funding of over $2.6million for the establishment of the Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve was secured in 2008. More than $1million of this funding was expended by Parks Victoria prior to the Committee of Management (COM) appointment. No additional funding was provided or fought for by Paul Edbrooke. FACT.
   2. A Funding Agreement was entered into with DEPI (now DELWP) in October 2014, prior to Paul Edbrooke taking office. The transfer of funding was withheld with the change of Government. FACT.
   3. The COM established and opened the Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve to the public, in January 2016, for the first time in 100 years, within only 6 months of obtaining the agreed funding, in accordance with the Master Plan developed by Parks Victoria, which received overwhelming endorsement (more than 90%) following extensive community consultation. FACT.
   4. The COM project managed the enablement of public access – paths and bridge construction, car park, stormwater treatment and signage – as well as extensive land management works to enhance the State significant flora and fauna values of the site. FACT.
   5. Paul Edbrooke has not provided any complaints or raised any issues with the COM during the three year term of appointment. The COM received confirmation from DELWP that there had been no complaints following the opening of the reserve. FACT.
   6. The COM has received less than 30 requests or complaints over its three years, which cover fallen trees and limbs and repairs to fences including replacement of barbed wire. FACT.
   7. An Expression of Interest process for the initial establishment of the COM for the Frankston NCR was advertised in the Frankston Standard Leader in December 2013. Applications were sought by DELWP (then DEPI) on behalf of the Minister for the Environment. FACT.
   8. Nine individuals were appointed by the then Minister for the Environment, based on their extensive skills and expertise, with the Chair selected by the Minister. FACT.
   9. No member of the original nine appointees to the COM owns or lives in a property which directly abuts the reserve. FACT.
   10. Members of one family do not control the vote, cannot form a quorum, nor have majority membership of the COM. No original members of the COM have a beneficial interest in the reserve. FACT.
   11. In September 2015, four rangers were employed following an advertised recruitment. All rangers hold Conservation Land Management qualifications and live locally. As a result of the transfer of management to Parks Victoria, all three existing rangers have lost their jobs. FACT.
   12. The COM rejected the casual appointment made in April 2016 to fill a vacancy on the COM, advising the Minister in writing in July 2016 in a jointly signed letter. FACT.
   13. Paul Edbrooke is aware that at the time of the appointment that the appointee was involved in Personal Safety Intervention Order proceedings (proceedings which he supported in writing in favour of the affected Committee member) due to ongoing behaviours directed towards a Committee member. The comprehensive Personal Safety Intervention Order was granted through the Court process. FACT.
   14. The casual appointee to the Committee owns property directly abutting the reserve. The appointee has a material interest in the reserve. FACT.
   15. Paul Edbrooke has not attended one meeting or an Annual General Meeting or ever met with the COM. FACT.
   16. All meetings have been held with advance notice and by agreement with all members of the COM appointed in 2014. FACT.
   17. All meeting requirements have been adhered to, with minutes and appropriate records maintained and submitted where required to DELWP. FACT.
   18. All members of the 2014 COM were asked by DELWP Officials to apply for re-appointment to the committee for a further term in November 2016, owing to the “sound management” that had occurred. FACT.
   19. An Expression of Interest process for a position on the COM in early 2017 resulted in more than 20 applicants, with 16 shortlisted and interviewed by DELWP officials. The conclusion of this process: transfer back to Parks Victoria. FACT.
   20. The COM continue to manage the Reserve for the benefit of all the people of Frankston, months after their term has ended. FACT.
   21. Paul Edbrooke has hidden behind Parliamentary Privilege to provide a wrongful and unsupportable litany of ERRORS of FACT and in doing so has misled the House and the people of Victoria.

Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve Committee of Management Inc,

Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve Guardians Inc.

More than 1,100 people have shown their support by signing a petition for the retention of the reserve with its current access arrangements and for the rangers to retain their jobs.