Invitation

This is an invitation for you as an outdoor recreation user in the Snowy Mountains region to participate in the second stage of the University of Wollongong research project exploring biosecurity and recreation-tourism in the Kosciuszko-Snowy Monaro region, NSW.

The first phase of data collection used a survey to investigate the practices of self-selected outdoor recreation residents and visitor in the natural and semi-natural settings of the Local Government Areas of Snowy Monaro Shire Council and Snowy Valleys Shire Council as well as Kosciuszko National Park (KNP).

Using interviews, we would like to hear about your experiences, thoughts and perceptions of how you carry out, think about and develop skills in biosecurity practices across different landscapes and for different recreation activities that you are undertaking in the Snowy Mountains region.

If you choose to be involved in the research, you will participate in an audio or video interview with a member of the research team.

Interviews

The interview will take approximately 60 minutes and could either be face to face or virtual at a time that is suitable for you. The interviews could use one or all of the following methods:

• be aided by photographs to guide the discussion,

• utilise ‘go along’ where the researcher travels with you for the discussion, or

• use person or equipment mounted audiovideo devices where you record your activity and perceptions. The video(s) would guide a post-outing discussion.

• The decision as to which method to use will be guided by your preference, availability, location, and the nature of your activity.

The discussion will be semi structured and will explore your thoughts and perceptions about biosecurity including how this might relate to your recreation activity, including your perceptions of:

• Thinking about, doing and experiencing the recreation activity.

• Where, how and why you travel through particular landscapes, the trails or the vegetation.

• Occasions when and processes for cleaning your recreation equipment.

• Biosecurity and related signage and/or information in the areas where you undertake outdoor recreation activities.

All observations and interviews will be recorded so the researchers can listen and make notes later. You will need to provide consent to participate and be recorded, photographed or videoed.

No one else will hear the recordings, only the researchers from the University of Wollongong.

Risks

The risks of participation could include the inconvenience of the length of the interview an observations. It is expected that interviews may take up to one hour. However, they could be shorter if required and focus on one stage such as the start or finish of your activity outing. This staging would reduce possible burden on you.

The potential for physical injury may also be attributed to participating in the outdoor recreation activity. You will need to indicate that your skills and experience enable you to participate in go along interviews and videoing.

You will need to consent to participate knowingly and your involvement is entirely voluntary, and you can choose to withdraw at any time without any consequence.

If you would like to withdraw any data that you have provided you can do so by contacting the researcher within 6 weeks of your interview.

Declining this invitation to participate will not adversely affect your relationship with the researchers, the University of Wollongong, Kosciuszko National Park or the LGA organisations in any way.