MDA National Conference Program
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
77th National Conference and Annual General Meeting 16- 19 May 2021 COLLABORATION: CONNECTING CATCHMENTS AND COMMUNITIES A hybrid event proudly presented in partnership with TRANSFORMING THE GREAT CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME! Snowy 2.0 National inc. Energy Plan Some of the National Climate Resilience extraordinary plans and Adaptation Strategy on the national agenda Murray-Darling Basin Plan for 2021 and a generation beyond. Achieving these National Water Infrastructure plans succesfully will Development Fund require local leadership and collaboration. 2030 Agriculture Plan The Murray Darling Association acknowledge and respect the enduring custodianship and expertise of the Barkindji Nation and the Traditional Owners of all lands in the Murray-Darling Basin. CONFERENCE PASSES This hybrid event will provide a range of attendance options. Meeting in Wentworth will provide those rich opportunities to reconnect with each other, while full digital connectivity will ensure that all options are covered seamlessly in the event of a Covid-19 interruption. If this event turns virtual due to emerging COVID-19 restrictions, in person ticket holders will be entitled to a refund of the difference between their in person package and a full conference pass virtual, less a 10% administration fee. The refund will be processed 1 week following the conference. Ticket holders impacted will also receive a 10% discount on next year’s fee. If you need a COVID-19 ticket transfer, please call our friendly team on (03) 5480 3805. FULL CONFERENCE PASS DAY PASS VIRTUAL PASS Early Bird* Regular Early Bird* Regular Early Bird* Regular Members $699 $790 $405 $450 $175 $185 Non-Members $850 $890 $450 $475 $185 $200 Prices are GST exclusive * Early Bird pricing available until 31 March 2021 REGISTER HERE 2 MDA 77th National Conference and Annual General Meeting 77th National Conference and Annual General Meeting 16- 19 May 2021 SUMMARY OF EVENTS SUNDAY 16 MAY TIME EVENT DETAILS Arrive and feel welcome in Wentworth – settle in and enjoy a Welcome day range of sites and informal events Wentworth Civic Centre 2.30pm-3.30pm Early Registration Cnr Darling Street and Silver City Highway Wentworth Conference access via entry doors on Silver City Highway. On board PS Ruby 3.30pm-4.30pm Afternoon tea & meet the Board Moored at the Port of Wentworth Wharf in Wharf Street TBC Committee meeting CSIRO MDA Inaugural Steering Official Welcome from Mayor Susan Nichols 6.00pm-7.00pm Civic Reception Old Wentworth Gaol – Beverley Street Wentworth MONDAY 17 MAY TIME EVENT DETAILS Guided tour of Menindee Lakes and Pooncarie from the 7.00am-6.00pm Study tour comfort of an air conditioned coach A wonderful exhibition of local and sponsored exhibits at the 10.00am-2.00pm Exhibition and Registrations conference venue, open to the community and late arrivals TUESDAY 18 MAY TIME EVENT DETAILS 8.00am Registration Open Hear from a range of amazing speakers. 8.30pm-4.30pm Conference Speakers Day 1 See Conference Program (p5) for details 9.30pm-2.00pm Partners Tour A guided tour for partners Celebrate and socialise – on the magnificent PV Mundoo 5.00pm-9.30pm Gala Dinner Depart from the Port of Wentworth Wharf in Wharf Street WEDNESDAY 19 MAY TIME EVENT DETAILS Hear from a range of amazing speakers. 8.30pm-2.30pm Conference Speakers Day 2 See Conference Program (p6) for details Delegates will consider a range of motions to set the agenda 3.00pm-4.30pm Annual General Meeting for the years ahead Don’t miss this historic opportunity for your contribution to be 4.45pm Group Photo at the Junction recorded in the history and the future of the Murray-Darling For those evenings when no formal events are provided, delegates and guests can enjoy an informal dinner and catch up with friends at one of the lovely Wentworth venues. Full details of each event, along with speaker bios and notes are provided further in this program. MDA 77th National Conference and Annual General Meeting 3 COLLABORATION: CONNECTING CATCHMENTS AND COMMUNITIES If we can take any positives from the adversity of droughts, If there is one benefit the COVID crisis has delivered, it is fires and Covid-19 it’s that the towns, regions and countries governments’ increased willingness to be guided in their emerging quickest and strongest are those with innovative, decisions by expert advice. connected local leadership. Coupled with a commitment by Basin governments to put It’s no surprise then that local government and the communities at the heart of the Basin Plan, it has never communities of the Murray Darling Basin are well placed been more timely for local government to come together to adapt and forge ahead in 2021 - and beyond. Basin to share our local knowledge to shape the future of the councils have, after all, spent years building connections Murray Darling Basin. across catchments and communities. We face many great challenges ahead. Demand for water With our rivers, our borders and even our attitudes in the Murray Darling Basin continues to be greater than increasingly fragmented, clever councils recognise the supply. Drought, bushfires, water security and climate importance of innovation to restore and build connectivity. change present escalating risks that must be managed and mitigated. Markets, agriculture, technologies, and Connectivity of communities is essential to our people. economies are changing rapidly. In the same way, a healthy river system must have connectivity of flows. There is no future on a dry system. Each of these great challenges presents a tremendous opportunity. Opportunities for our councils to collaborate Changing water availability, floodplain extractions and innovate. Opportunities for local government to not and changed flood flow distribution all impact Basin only survive but to adapt and thrive! connectivity, river health and even community connectivity. The MDA’s 77th National Conference & AGM is your Now, more than ever, we must be connected to succeed: opportunity to be part of the solution – to join the conversation, inform future policy and collaborate with the • Connecting catchments and river systems is at the innovators, scientists, educators and leaders of our time. heart of a healthy Basin. • Connecting leaders - local, state, federal and First Nations - is essential to our shared success. This hybrid event will provide a range of attendance options. Meeting in Wentworth will provide those • Connecting the many great plans for our nation will rich opportunities to reconnect with each other, build confidence and prosperity. while full digital connectivity will ensure that all options are covered seamlessly in the event of a • And, most importantly, after the challenges of 2020, Covid-19 interruption. connecting with each other. 4 MDA 77th National Conference and Annual General Meeting PROGRAM OF EVENTS DAY ONE – TUESDAY 18 MAY TIME PERSPECTIVE PRESENTER Wentworth Civic Centre 8.00 Arrival and registrations Cnr Darling St and Silver City Highway Wentworth Conference access via entry doors on Silver City Hwy Mayor Susan Nichols Welcome to Wentworth Mayor, Wentworth Shire Council Uncle Badger Bates 8.30 Welcome to Country Barkindji Cr David Thurley OAM Welcome to Conference National President, Murray Darling Association Opening address The Hon. Melinda Jane Pavey, MP 9.00 * This presentation may change to session 2, Day 2 due to diary commitments Minister for Water, Property and Housing Ken Ross General Manager, Wentworth Shire Council 9.30 Our Plans and Projects – The Bold Vision Speaker Wentworth Shire Council 10.00 MORNING TEA Jane Doolan 10.30 Water Reform – The National Perspective Commissioner, Productivity Commission Making every drop count – smarter use of our water for Hilton Taylor 11.00 all users A/Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder 11.30 Petaurus – Student Presentation The Petaurus Education Group 12.00 LUNCH Stephen Blackadder, Facilitator CEO Blackadder Associates Scott Phillips CEO, LG NSW Local Leadership – a National Priority: Speaker 1.00 The role of local government in the national LGAQ decision-making framework Speaker Municipal Association of Victoria Speaker ALGA Breaking the Murray-Darling Basin Plan SDLAM impasse Claire Miller 2.00 – a proposal NSW Irrigators Council 2.30 AFTERNOON TEA Rod Hillman CEO The Visitor Economy – Connecting Basin Communities Ecotourism Australia 3.00 (or Tourism – The Basin Plan’s Silent Partner) Tony Sharley Owner River Murray Walk Grant Rigney, Ngarrindjeri. Chair, Murray Lower 3.30 The First Basin Plan Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) End of System and Valley Specific Flow Targets Jane Coram – what the science can tell us Director, Land and Water Business Unit, CSIRO Water and environment research in the David Post 4.00 Murray-Darling Basin Research scientist, CSIRO Climate change, communities Francis Chiew and water resources adaptation Science leader, CSIRO 4.30 CLOSE 5.00 – GALA DINNER PV Mundoo Paddle Steamer 9.30 With dinner speaker and entertainment Board from the Port of Wentworth, NSW MDA 77th National Conference and Annual General Meeting 5 PROGRAM OF EVENTS DAY TWO – WEDNESDAY 19 MAY TIME PERSPECTIVE PRESENTER Professor Mike Stewardson 8.30 A new era in collaboration, R&D and adoption Interim CEO, One Basin CRC Community, Connection and Meeting the Challenge of Change Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM 9.00 * Times for this presentation may change to session 1, Day 1 due to Commissioner of Resilience NSW diary commitments Tim Fisher Informing connections between catchments and Alluvium Group 9.30 communities – a multi-disciplinary