This event will give people a chance to discuss the potential role and operation of the fledgling Regional Conservation Council.

Bookings essential - to reserve your place at the HOPE meeting, please RSVP by Wednesday, 13 February to the HOPE office on 4639 2135 or email [email protected].

Background information:

Environment and conservation groups in the broader Darling Downs Region are likely to form a Regional Conservation Council in the near future.

Toby Hutcheon, Chief Executive of the Queensland Conservation Council said “We have a number of Regional Conservation Councils in Queensland and the establishment of one in the Downs region will add considerable capacity for community based groups to plan and act on conservation issues and ideas.”

“We have commissioned a consultancy to engage with the many environment and conservation groups in the region and expect that the Regional Conservation Council will be established by April 2013” Toby said.

“The guiding assumption is that the Regional Conservation Council will be a community-based, representative organisation with a focus on nature conservation and protection and environmental sustainability.”

“The Council will cover the local government areas of Toowoomba, Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, Western Downs, Maranoa and Balonne” he said.

Established environment groups such as Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE), based in Toowoomba, welcome the idea.  Frank Ondrus, president of HOPE and linked to a number of regional groups, said “We have invited the consultant, Howard Nielsen, from NACC Sustainability, to speak at HOPE’s quarterly meeting being held on Friday 15 February, 7pm at the Jacaranda Room, Grand Central Shopping Centre, Toowoomba."

Howard Nielsen will be meeting over the next two months with groups and individuals in the region and people should contact him on[email protected] if they would like to be a part of the broad consultation process.