Sharp, Flutts!
Well, we had a very nice meeting, IMO! This version is totally different...I've finally got to the bottom of how it works:
It does not appear to be a SANParks initiative as such, rather an idea from the Aussie squad to do useful research for university paper purposes whic SP have taken on board. The cool and ernest Liandi just facilitates and observes, no other SP bigwigs droning on, and Jo and Roy run the show very professionally and without malice or forethought.
There were about 10 stakeholders at this one, a nice size, and time was used well with the normal brainstorming of problems and solutions. Productive and to the point.
The emails were sent out very randomly as invites, it is specifically just a sample as far as the public is concerned, as the data collation that is to come doesn't need much more. However, anyone can be added to the project if they want to, just use Liandi's email address. It is not a rubber stamp business, it seems, and the Aussies were bemused at how suspicious most of us were!
Dr Roy is publishing the results as his own paper in Aus, as well as presenting them to SANParks in February...so all data is safe and transparent IMO.
There are 7 or so sessions, after which all stakeholder input regarding suggestions around remedying traffic issues in Kruger will be collated and returned to participants/email list for what is effectively a voting process as to which are the best options. Two rounds of "voting", where in the first round one can still come up with more suggestions. (It is a "how strongly do you agree 1-6" questionnaire system.)
The process should be concluded by Christmas, no mess no fuss.
