PROGRAM

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The International Year of Freshwater (2003)

The International Year of Freshwater (2003) was created in support of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which calls upon all member states:

"To stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources by developing water management strategies at the regional, national and local levels, which promote both equitable access and adequate supplies."

Koffi Annan Secretary General, United Nations
Excerpt from the International Year of Freshwater Official Message

Invited Speakers

The Hon. Mrs Elaine Carbines MP

The Hon. Dr Sharman Stone MP

Mr Andrew Bruton

Mr Tim Fisher

Ms Christine Forster

Dr James Horne

The Hon. Dr Barry Jones, AO

Mr Scott Keyworth

Dr John Langford

Professor Wayne Meyer

Sir Gustav Nossal, AC, CBE, FAA, FRS

Dr Geoff Syme

Mr Ian Thompson

Mr Greg Wilson

Professor Mike Young

Mr Ross Young

The Hon. Dr Sharman Stone MP

Dr Sharman Stone MP is the Federal Member for Murray and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

Dr Stone was the Government's Representative on the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1997 to 2000. The Parliamentary Secretary is responsible for the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Antarctic Division.

Her other key areas of responsibility relate to water and vegetation policy development and indigenous land management.

Mr Andrew Bruton

Andrew Bruton, a Senior Associate at Clayton Utz, has developed a particular expertise in the application of water law to the electricity and resources industries and regularly advises companies on regulatory issues associated with access to water, as well as the structuring of water infrastructure, transportation and commercial supply arrangements.

The Hon. Mrs Elaine Carbines MP

Elaine is the first Labor woman to be elected to Parliament from Geelong since Fanny Brownbill died in office in 1948. She represents the seat of Geelong Province in the Legislative Council as a member of the Bracks Government.

Elaine is an active member of the Geelong community and was the English Co-ordinator at Corio Community College prior to her election.

She is married to Shane Carbines, a former umpire and senior official with the Geelong Football Umpires League. They have two children, Hannah, 15 and Scott, 13. Elaine is also stepmother to Anthony and Nick.

Elaine migrated to Australia with her parents and brother from England in 1968 at the age of 11. She had completed her primary school education in Manchester and attended secondary school at Mitcham High School. She later studied at Monash and went on to become a Humanities teacher

Elaine became a member of the Labor Party in 1975 when the Whitlam Government was removed from office. She won the seat of Geelong Province when the Bracks Government came to power in 1999.

Elaine is enjoying the challenges of representing Geelong Province both at home in Geelong and in Spring Street.

She has been a hard-working member of the Road Safety Committee and in March 2002 her role as a parliamentarian was expanded when the Premier appointed Elaine as Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Training.

In March 2003 Elaine was elevated to Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, assisting in the Ministry of Deputy Premier, John Thwaites.

Mr Tim Fisher

Tim Fisher has worked with Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) since 1990 in a number of campaigning roles, with a major emphasis on rivers and water resources. Past and present water campaigns include Murray Darling environmental flows, the proposed Fitzroy Dam in the Kimberley, Snowy environmental flows and the non-compliance of Qld's water reforms with National Competition Policy.

Tim was a member of the Victorian Farm Dams Review Panel and the Committee that recently reported to Minister Garbutt on Melbourne's future water needs.

More broadly, Tim's campaigning has included the collaborative Repairing the Country initiative with the National Farmers' Federation, and the Allen Consulting Group's Leveraging Private Investment report with the Business Leaders' Roundtable and CSIRO. Tim co-ordinates ACF's Land and Water Ecosystems Program covering salinity, water and rivers, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, woodlands and forests.

Tim is also a Director of Land and Water Australia and is a member of the Community Advisory Committee to the Murray Darling Ministerial Council.

Ms Christine Forster

Christine Forster is currently Chairperson of the Victorian Catchment Management Council, a member of the Victorian Water Trust Advisory Council and a director of VicSuper Pty Ltd. Her previous experience relates to water quality and water resources management, with a particular interest in natural resources management research and development. Christine is also a woolgrower in Western Victoria with interests in regional development and rural adjustment.

Dr James Horne

Dr Horne joined the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in August 2000 as First Assistant Secretary, Industry, Infrastructure and Environment Division, with responsibility for advising the Prime Minister on a broad range of microeconomic policy issues (including industry, communications, energy, transport, agriculture, the environment, trade practices and the Council of Australian Governments).

Prior to joining PM&C Dr Horne worked in the Australian Treasury for 15 years where he held a number of senior executive positions, including General Manager, Macroeconomic Policy Division and Assistant Secretary, Budget Policy Branch. He also served as Minister (Economic) and Senior Australian Treasury Representative in the Australian Embassy, Tokyo (1994-1996), with responsibility for Japan, the Koreas and Taiwan.

Dr Horne has also held positions at the Australian Office of National Assessments (as a economic analyst with responsibility for Japan, the Koreas and Taiwan), and Visiting Fellow at the Australia Japan Research Centre at the Australian National University.

Dr Horne holds a Phd from the Australian National University and is the author of 'Japan's Financial Markets: Conflict and Consensus in Policymaking', George Allen and Unwin (1985). He has a continuing interest in the Japanese economy and economic policymaking. He has recently completed Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.

The Hon. Dr Barry Jones, AO

Chair of the Victorian Schools Innovation Commission, Vic. Barry Jones is a former politician, writer and broadcaster who has earned a reputation as one of Australia's most respected public figures. He was a Member of the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1998, Minister for Science 1983-90, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1993. He was Australia's representative to UNESCO in Paris 1991-95 and is a Fellow of the four Australian Academies. In 1998 he was Deputy Chair of the Constitutional Convention receiving accolades from all quarters of the community. Perhaps most appropriately he is one of 100 people nominated by the National Trust as Australian "Living National Treasures".

Mr Scott Keyworth

Scott Keyworth is currently the Director of the Landscapes and Industries Program for the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. In this role he is responsible for coordinating applied research programs and the related development of policies addressing natural resources management issues related to riverine health, the irrigation industry and the development of water trade within the Basin.

Prior to his time with the Commission, Scott was engaged in the consulting industry, primarily in project planning and management in the water sector both in Australia and east Asia. He has also worked for the NSW Department of Agriculture as an agronomist, managed a family farm and holds undergraduate qualifications in agriculture from the University of NSW (1982) and a masters degree in economics from the University of New England (1988).

Dr John Langford

Dr John Langford BE (Ag), Ph D, FTSE, FIE Aust.
Executive Director, Water Services Association of Australia

John has extensive experience in the Australian water industry and has made significant contributions to reform of both urban and rural water management. John was Chief Executive of the Rural Water Corporation (Commission) from 1989 to 1994. He was appointed in 1994 as the inaugural Executive Director of WSAA.

John is Chairman of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Catchment Hydrology, Chairman of the CRC for Freshwater Ecology and a board member of the CRC for Water Quality and Treatment. He is also Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Special Research Centre on the Environmental Impact of Coastal Cities at Sydney University. John is a Churchill Fellow, a Fellow of Academy of Technology Sciences and Engineering, a recipient of the Peter Hughes Award for his contribution to the Australian water industry and was the Munro Orator for 2000. John is also a Board Member of Global Water Research Council and has been involved in the International Water Association CEO's Forums. He was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2003 for his contribution to environmental science and technology.

Professor Wayne Meyer

Professor Meyer received his BAgSc degree from the University of Adelaide in 1973 and continued his studies at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute from which he gained a PhD in Agronomy in 1977. His field of study was concerned with water uptake by root systems of wheat. During 1976 and 1977 he was Assistant Professor at Texas A and M University where he worked with Dr Joe Ritchie on water flow into and through sorghum and cotton root systems. From 1977 to 1980 Professor Meyer was employed by the Water Research Commission of South Africa studying water use of and irrigation scheduling procedures for irrigated wheat, soybean and citrus.

Professor Meyer joined CSIRO, in Griffith, in late 1980. In 1994 he was appointed to the Foundation Chair in Irrigation at Charles Sturt University. He continued in this position, jointly with CSIRO Water Resources, until 1997 and remains an honorary Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University. From 1997 until 2002 he was Program Leader of the Sustainable Agriculture group in CSIRO Land & Water. Professor Meyer is a Chief Research Scientist and Business Director in CSIRO Land and Water. He has been involved with irrigation scheduling systems and has developed a range of experimental facilities for studying crop response at both the 'wet' and 'dry' end of the irrigation cycle and continues his involvement with Australian and international irrigation research and education. Professor Meyer is a foundation member of the National Irrigation Science Network and is the Interim CEO of the CRC for Irrigation Futures.

Sir Gustav Nossal, Ac, CBE, FAA, FRS

Sir Gustav Nossal is Professor Emeritus of the University of Melbourne. He was born in Bad Ischl, Austria, in 1931, and came to Australia with his family in 1939. He studied Medicine at The University of Sydney and, after residency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, took his PhD at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. Apart from two years as Assistant Professor of Genetics at Stanford University, one year at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and one year as a Special Consultant to the World Health Organization, all Nossal's research career has been at the Hall Institute, of which he served as Director (1965-1996). Nossal was also Professor of Medical Biology at The University of Melbourne. Nossal's research is in fundamental immunology, and he has written five books and 530 scientific articles in this and related fields. Nossal has been President (1986-1989) of the 25,000-member world body of immunology, the International Union of Immunological Societies; President of the Australian Academy of Science (1994-1998); a member of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (1989 to 1998); and Chairman of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (1987-1996). Nossal was knighted in 1977, made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1989 and was appointed Australian of the Year 2000.

Dr Geoff Syme

Geoff Syme is a Chief Research Scientist at the CSIRO Land and Water and Research Director of the Water Security and Sustainable Communities group. Geoff has been involved with the theoretical and applied aspects of social research in water resources and other natural resources management such as mining for twenty five years. He has developed an international reputation in the planning, design and evaluation of methodologies for public involvement programs, public attitudinal surveys and social impact assessments of developments and environmental planning decisions.

Mr Ian Thompson

Executive Manager, Natural Resource Management, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.

Ian is responsible for policy development, coordination and program management for the sustainable use, management and conservation of Australia's land and water resources. Ian is also a Deputy-Commissioner of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.

Ian has previously worked on plant industry policy, field crop trade issues, plant health, native title, drought management, rural adjustment, water resources management, landcare and sustainable agriculture

Mr Greg Wilson

Greg Wilson is an economist with over 20 years of water sector experience in policy, corporate and regulatory roles. He is currently leading a group established within the Department of Sustainability and Environment that is responsible for delivering a number of key initiatives in accordance with the Government's sustainability agenda.

Prior to taking up this position he was responsible for the regulatory activities of the Essential Services Commission, which has various regulatory responsibilities in relation to electricity, gas, ports, grain-handling, rail access and the metropolitan water sector.

He was involved in the development and implementation of reforms to the water sector that occurred during the 1990s, including the desegregation of Melbourne sector in 1995 and the pricing reforms of 1997.

Greg completed his studies in economics at the University of Melbourne, with a Bachelor of Commerce in economics and politics, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in economics.

Professor Mike Young

One of CSIRO's few economists, Mike Young specialises in the development of policy principles and their application to resource management issues. He is best known for his contributions to the development of GISbased natural resource accounting and valuation systems; the design of tradeable property-right systems; the development of market-based instruments, and the use of incentive instruments to conserve biodiversity.

Mr Ross Young

Ross is Melbourne Water's Group Manager, System Planning. In this role he is responsible for planning and management of the wholesale water supply system, the planning of the sewerage transfer system and the two major treatment plants, and the planning of the stormwater system.

He was the Chair of the Project Management Group, which oversaw the recently completed 50 year Water Resources Strategy for the greater Melbourne area.

Ross has a Diploma of Horticultural Science, a Bachelor of Applied Science, an MBA and a Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law from Melbourne University.

Associate Professor Keith Smettem

Keith Smettem is presently leader of the Agricultural and Eco-hydrology group in the Centre for Water Research at the University of Western Australia. He is also a sub-program leader in the Co-operative Research Centre for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity. Keith received his PhD from the University of Sheffield in 1982, was a Mankin post-doctoral fellow at the University of Sydney and then joined CSIRO Division of Soils in 1985. He became Divisional Program Leader of the program 'Soil Management and Erosion Control' and was officer in charge of the Division of Soils Davies Laboratory in Townsville from 1993 -95. In 1995 he accepted a position at the University of Western Australia where he now lectures in Hydrology and Land and Water Management. Keith has extensive experience in integrated catchment management and impacts of land use change on hydrological processes.

Facilitators of Workshops

MR JOLYON BURNETT
Jolyon Burnett is the Chief Executive Officer of the Irrigation Association of Australia(IAA). IAA is the only industry body representing the entire value chain in irrigation. He has worked in local government, parks management, consultancy, research, TAFE and University teaching, journalism and horticultural production. Most recently Jolyon was the CEO of the Nursery & Garden Industry Australia and Senior Program Manager with the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation. Jolyon has a degree in agricultural science, a masters in environmental science.

DR PETER CRAWFORD
Dr Peter Crawford has been Commissioner for Healthy Rivers in NSW since 1995. He has led in the development of public policy, government strategy and public sector reforms within Australia and overseas. Dr Crawford has written and edited a number of books on institutional change and management.

MR BRUCE FINNEY
Bruce Finney has a degree in Applied Science (Ag), is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and has worked professionally as an agronomist and in rural property management since 1984. He is a former director of the Irrigation Association of Australia and the Australian Cotton Industry Council. Bruce has worked for the Twynam Agricultural Group since 1987 and is now their Natural Resource Management Co-Ordinator overseeing natural resource management issues across 6 river catchments in NSW. Twynam, a family owned business, is one of Australia's largest irrigated agricultural producers with 17 properties covering 430,000 Ha. He has a strong commitment to fostering a sustainable future for irrigated agriculture and prosperous rural communities.

DR DAVID JAMES
Dr David James is an economic consultant specialising in environmental and natural resource management. Prior to becoming a full-time consultant, he held senior academic positions in Australia, the Netherlands and the USA. His professional qualifications include Bachelors Honours and Masters Degrees in Economics from Australian Universities and a PhD in Economics from Bristol University. He has had extensive experience in governmental processes involving natural resources and the environment, serving as Special Commissioner on the Resource Assessment Commission's Forest and Timber Inquiry, Co-Chair of the Economic and Social Technical Committee for the NSW Regional Forestry Agreement process and a member of numerous advisory committees. He has acted as an Independent Expert Adviser on the Snowy Water Inquiry, Sydney Water Sewage Overflows Project, Water Quality and River Flow Objectives in NSW, the Sydney Water Board Clean Waterways Programme and has conducted economic appraisals on numerous projects involving water supply, sewerage and effluent reuse. Awards received by Dr James for his work include an East West Center Makana Team Award and a United Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Award.

MR STEPHEN MILLS
Stephen Mills is Chairman, Australian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage. Stephen is an irrigation dairy farmer at Numurkah in Northern Victoria and has a long involvement in the Australian irrigation industry. Apart from his position as Chairman of the Australian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, Stephen is also Chairman of the Goulburn- Broken Catchment Management Authority, Director of the recently announced CRC for Irrigation Futures, a member of the Steering Committee for the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation and Director of Murray-Goulburn Co-op. Co. Ltd, Australia's largest dairy processor. Stephen is passionate about Australia's irrigation industry and believes our irrigation farmers don't get enough credit for their achievements.

MR ANDREW SHERMAN
Andrew Sherman has a Bachelor of Jurisprudence (Monash University), Bachelor of Laws (Monash University), Law Institute of Victoria - Accredited Specialist in Environmental, Planning and Local Government Law. He currently practices in planning and environmental law, local government, water law, governance and property. Andrew is actively involved in the following; Law Institute of Victoria, Environmental Law Section, Law Institute of Victoria Property Law Section, Environmental, Planning & Local Government Law Advisory Committee, Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association and Russell Kennedy representative to Institute of Water Administration.

Conference Venue

The Melbourne Exhibition Centre is Australia's premier events venue - superbly situated on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River, close to the heart of the CBD and just 20 minutes from Melbourne's Airport.

Auditorium and Meeting Rooms
Level 2
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
2 Clarendon Street
Southbank VIC 3006

Social Program

CONFERENCE DINNER

Date: Tuesday 7 October 2003
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Venue: SUMAC, The Function Venue, Shed 6a, South Wharf Road, Southbank
Cost: $120.00 per person
Dress: Smart Casual

Delegates are invited to attend the conference dinner at Sumac where they will be able to relax with colleagues while enjoying fine food, premium local wines and the beautifully lit Melbourne city skyline. The professional approach from Sumac staff along with unique entertainment and special guest speaker will create a night of frivolity in an atmosphere that will make this dinner a truly memorable evening for all who attend.

General Information

AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Transfers to the city from the domestic and international airport can easily be arranged. Expect to pay around $45.00 for a taxi, depending on traffic conditions. Alternatively you can catch the Skybus which departs Melbourne Airport every 30 minutes from 5.30am until 11.30pm then every 60 minutes. Buses generally travel direct to the Melbourne Transit Centre (Franklin Street) and continue to Spencer Street Railway Station. Fares are approximately $13.00 per person one-way and $22.00 return trip excluding GST. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver.

CAR PARKING
The Melbourne Exhibition Centre operates an onsite car park. The entrance is off Normanby Road. A discounted car parking rate is available to registered delegates. In order to receive this discount delegates will need to present a conference ticket each day, available at the Conference Registration Desk. The Conference Delegate rate is $7.00 per day.

Registration Information

REGISTRATION DESK
The registration desk will be located on Level 2 of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and will be open during the following hours:

Tuesday 7 October 7.00am - 4.00pm
Wednesday 8 October 7.30am - 4.00pm

Staff at the registration desk will be pleased to assist you with all your enquiries.

REGISTRATION FEES
All registration fees are quoted in Australian dollars and inclusive of GST

Registration fee paid before 5 September 2003 = $595.00

Registration fee paid after 5 September 2003 = $695.00

REGISTRATION ENTITLEMENTS
Delegates are entitled to:

Attend all sessions on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 October 2003

Conference Proceedings

Final Program

Conference Satchel

Morning and Afternoon teas daily

Lunch daily

Entry to the Trade Exhibition

Please note: Fees do not include Accommodation or Conference dinner.

PAYMENT
Registration cannot be confirmed until full payment is made.

The Conference Secretariat can accept the following methods of payment.

Cheque/Money Order/Bank Draft:
Please make payable to United Nations of Australia (Victoria) Inc.

Telegraphic Transfers:
Telegraphic transfers will be accepted, free of fees, to the account listed below. To ensure prompt reconciliation please send a copy of the transfer record to the Conference Secretariat.

SWIFT Code: ANZBAU3M
Account Name: United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria) Inc
BSB No: 013 374
Account No: 2606 08506
Bank: Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation
Address: 729 Nicholson Street, Carlton North VIC 3054

CREDIT CARD
All major credit cards are accepted: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa. Credit Card payments will appear as ICMS Pty Ltd on your credit card statement.

REGISRATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Your registration will be acknowledged within 2 to 3 working days of receipt of the registration form.

ALTERATIONS
Alterations to your registration will not be accepted over the telephone. Alterations must be in writing via:

1. E-mail: registration@icms.com.au

2. Facsimile: 03 9682 0288

3. Post: UNAA Water 03
C/- ICMS Pty Ltd
84 Queensbridge Street
Southbank VIC 3006

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
Cancellations must be advised in writing to the Conference Secretariat. Cancellations received prior to Friday 5 September 2003 will receive a refund of registration fees less an administration charge of $100.00. Cancellations after this date will not be refundable. Cancelled Social Program tickets are refundable prior to Wednesday 1 October 2003. Tickets cannot be returned for re-selling after this date.

Accommodation Information

ICMS Travel, as the official housing bureau for the conference, has been able to secure discounted accommodation rates at selected hotels. Reservations need to be made before Friday 5 September, 2003. The room rate does not include breakfast. Any bookings received after this date cannot be guaranteed and are subject to a $25.00 late booking fee. Accommodation will be allocated in order of receipt of bookings and payment.

ARRIVAL TIME
Please indicate on your registration form your estimated time of arrival at the hotel. Check in time is 2.00pm. Should you wish to guarantee a room for your arrival prior to that time it is recommended that you book and pay for the room for the evening prior to your arrival.

CROWN TOWERS (5 star)
Deluxe Room $275.00

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006

Crown Towers offers luxurious guestrooms. Every room features spa bath, fax machine, personal safe and complimentary access to the 25m heated pool and gymnasium.

GRAND HOTEL (5 star)
Studio $184.00
1 Bedroom Apartment $204.00

33 Spencer Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

The Grand Hotel is a 5 Star Hotel consisting of 118 rooms, indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, gymnasium and a fine dining restaurant. The Studio Suites are an open plan room with separate ensuite and balcony. The 1 Bedroom Suites are set over two levels, with a bedroom and ensuite upstairs and living entertaining area downstairs.

HOTEL ENTERPRIZE (3 star)
Business Room $110.00

44 Spencer Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Situated close to Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Crown Casino and Telstra Dome, Hotel Enterprize is a recently refurbished 3 Star Hotel, in the CBD. Rooms offer ensuites with excellent appointments, air conditioning, heating, Mini Bar, TV, Free In-house movies and tea/coffee facilities, while there is an excellent restaurant and bar for entertaining.

DEPOSIT
To secure your reservation a deposit equivalent to one night's room tariff is required. Bookings cannot be made until ICMS Travel receives the deposit.

PAYMENT
The Conference Secretariat can accept the following methods of payment:

Cheque/Money Order/Bank Draft:
Please make payable to ICMS Travel Trust.

Telegraphic Transfer:
Telegraphic transfers will be accepted free of fees to the account listed below. To ensure prompt reconciliation, please send a copy of the transfer record to the Conference Secretariat.

SWIFT Code: ANZBAU3M
BSB No: 013 435
Account No: 3103 44706
Account Name: ICMS Travel Trust
Bank: ANZ (Australian & New Zealand Banking Group Limited)
Address: 307 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205

CREDIT CARD
All major credit cards are accepted: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa. Credit card payment will appear as ICMS Pty Ltd on your credit card statement.

CHANGE OF BOOKING
Alterations to your accommodation booking will not be accepted over the telephone. Alterations must be in writing via:

1. E-mail: registration@icms.com.au

2. Facsimile: 03 9682 0288

3. Post: UNAA Water 03
C/- ICMS Pty Ltd
84 Queensbridge Street
Southbank VIC 3006

ALTERATIONS / CHANGE OF BOOKINGS
Cancellations must be advised in writing to the Conference Secretariat. The deposit will be forfeited for all cancellations received after FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER or if the room is not occupied on the advised date of arrival. Any new bookings or amendments received after Friday 5 September will be subject to hotel availability and an administration fee of $25.00.