Alternative Futures Conference 2012

Alternative Futures Conference 2012
The Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Strategy (HCCREMS) team and the councils of the region invite you participate in the Alternative Futures Conference - 21st to 24th of May 2012 in Newcastle, NSW.

Local government, in many ways, is at the forefront of shaping the future of regions throughout Australia in terms of sustainable planning and development. The Alternative Futures Conference 2012 will provide an innovative platform for exploring emerging trends, progressive leadership and new pathways towards sustainability.

Convened over three days in Newcastle City Precinct NSW, the conference will deliver an exciting multidisciplinary event addressing climate and risk, land use planning, biodiversity conservation, liveable communities and urban design and feature some of the leading thinkers and innovators from across Australia and overseas.

Who should attend?
Staff and managers from Councils and their partner organisations, businesses, universities, research institutions, community networks, NGOs, State and Federal agencies and professional organisations from ecological, planning, infrastructure, environment, engineering, energy and water, risk management and financial sectors.

Topics
Delegates will experience keynote addresses and attend technical sessions exploring alternative future options for addressing a range of issues including:

• Land use planning;
• Water & energy supply and management
• Sustainable development;
• Urban design
• Biodiversity conservation;
• Liveable communities
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Resource consumption and management
• Pathways to sustainability;

Format
In keeping with it's title, the Conference will also employ a range of new, fresh and innovative approaches including:
 

• A focus on facilitating genuine networking opportunities for facilitators, speakers, attendees and sponsors alike including – break out lounge areas, a conference “mind spa”, informal access to speakers and presenters, a range of special networking events, and an interactive conference “mind map” allowing delegates to connect with presenters and participants both during and long after the event;
• Inspirational keynotes; experienced, motivational facilitators; and a variety of technical session formats – traditional, interactive, multi-media, field based, creative,  experimental;
• Focussed sessions around how to make change happen and future regional  research, design, planning and implementation strategies;
• Art installations, street theatre and creative approaches to location, atmosphere, catering and entertainment; and
• Conference policies and practises that lead by example and minimise its footprint.

Venue
The Alternative Futures 2012 Conference is being hosted at the Newcastle City Hall and Civic Precinct, the heart of the Newcastle’s City Centre.

Less than 2 hours north of Sydney, Civic Precinct Newcastle is easily accessible by road, rail, air or water.  The Civic Precinct is a mere 5 minutes walk from over 700 accommodation rooms and a short walk from Newcastle's major attractions, beaches, harbour foreshore, cafes and restaurants.

The Newcastle City Hall is one of the Hunter Region's largest and most prestigious venues. Opened in 1929, Newcastle City Hall's stunning architecture includes sandstone walls and pillars, marble staircases, a clocktower and a magnificent ballroom with 14m high ceiling. The interiors and building have been restored throughout to recapture the elegance and charm of the 1920's era.

With seven function rooms including the magnificent 820 seat Concert Hall, Newcastle City Hall plays host to civic receptions, national and international conferences, trade shows, seminars, corporate meetings, weddings, social functions, school formals and community gatherings and will provide the perfect environment for networking and learning during the Alternative Futures Conference.

Registration is now open! Earlybird discounted registration closes on March 19, 2012

For further information, please visit www.alternativefutures.com.au  or phone (02) 4984 2554.