Invitation

It gives me great pleasure to invite you to Cairns, in tropical North Queensland, to the Combined 5^th Trans Tasman Survey Conference and 2^nd Queensland Spatial Industry Conference 2006. Combining these events reflects the evolution of the spatial industry as technology bonds the spatial disciplines closer and recognises the value spatial professionals can co-create for each other through working together. It also highlights the contribution made by the spatial industry to the broader range of economic, social and environmental activities being undertaken in Australia and New Zealand. The program will provide for the diverse needs of the spatial disciplines, with surveying's contribution a central theme. The theme 'Land and Sea Spatially Connected in a Tropical Hub' reflects the future of the spatial disciplines working together.

The joint conference will provide opportunities to present and discuss cross-disciplinary practice, research and developments across the spatial sciences. Topics will cover land, hydrographic, mining and engineering surveying, marine mapping and management, land, water and biota rights and administration, data management and analysis, and spatial science applications and developments. We will look back over the 400 year history of the mapping of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctic Regions, and look forward to the challenges of tomorrow; including opportunities for our professions in neighbouring regions to our North.

Cairns is a fantastic location, fringed by the world famous Great Barrier Reef, and Coastal and Tablelands Rainforest. It offers the perfect opportunity for delegates and their partners to take in the vast natural beauty and attractions of the north Queensland region. In addition, the City of Cairns has the best of everything-great restaurants, excellent accommodation, a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere, and a prize-winning conference venue.

The Cairns Convention Centre is a modern, international-standard, environmentally-friendly facility that is located just minutes walking distance from a wide range of accommodation. This is a great opportunity to merge the combined conference with that long overdue trip to North Queensland!

Put these dates in your calendar today. We look forward to seeing you in Cairns in September 2006-when the weather will be perfect and where in true north Queensland style social interaction and fun are just as important as professional communication and development.

Les Fehlhaber
Conference Convenor