More than 200 delegates from across NSW and interstate will descend on Port Macquarie next month for the 22nd annual NSW Coastal Conference.
The three-day conference is being hosted by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and will be held at the Glasshouse from Wednesday 13 November to Friday 15 November.
The theme is ‘Valuing our Coastal Zone, Planning our Future, What’s the big picture?’
The NSW Coastal Conference has grown into one of the most successful coastal industry events in Australia over the past two decades. It attracts people who are interested in or working in the field of coastal and estuary management research, education, service provision and policy as well as representatives from local government, industry, business, user groups and volunteer organisations.
Organisers are expecting about 220 people to attend the conference. Delegates will take part in a range of sessions focusing on strategic planning, science and technology, infrastructure and coastal values. One of the infrastructure sessions will have a local flavour with Ed Couriel from NSW Public Works’ Manly Hydraulics Laboratory to talk about the adaptive design of the new Flynns Beach seawall in Port Macquarie.
Field trips on the second day of the conference will look at how coastal management issues are being tackled at a local level.
There will also be several social functions with the conference dinner at Rydges on 14 November to incorporate the annual NSW Coastal Management Awards.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s development and environment director Matt Rogers said the quality of presenters confirmed for this year’s conference and the diversity of issues to be discussed pointed to a very informative event.
He has encouraged local residents interested in coastal management issues to make the most of the opportunity and to register for the event online at www.coastalconference.com.
In recent years, Coastal Conferences have been held in Kiama (2012), Tweed (2011), Batemans Bay (2010), Ballina (2009), Wollongong (2008), Yamba (2007), Coffs Harbour (2006) and Narooma (2005).
