 Sydney: Friday 2nd March 2007,
Venue: Four Seasons Hotel
Melbourne: Tuesday 27th March 2007,
Venue: Melbourne Sofitel What’s on the horizon and what does this mean for your business? Is it business as usual or is climate change ramping up on the agenda? How will this affect business? There are new opportunities for growth, but will those that don’t adjust lose out? How can your business stay competitive? Business will be affected and the community continues to press for action.
Representatives from industry groups and environmental groups discuss the barriers and opportunities in the sustainable economy. Where can your organisation succeed and what needs to be done to achieve true sustainability in the marketplace?
Sydney: Friday 2nd March 2007Climate change, sustainable water and energy supply, transport and waste are big-ticket items in the coming NSW State Election as it was in the recent Victorian elections. Many policies and plans are already implemented and new ones will be announced in coming weeks. In NSW you will hear from the major political parties. A panel of business and environment leaders will discuss new directions and how far will these changes go. Are they enough to achieve a sustainable economy and, if not, what else needs to be done?
New Governments and an upcoming election will change the landscape for sustainable business. The State Plan and policies in both Victoria and NSW as adopt green targets, envisage new legislation as well as grants, incentive schemes and departmental accountability to create a framework that encourages a sustainable economy. But what does this mean for the future of your business? SpeakersKeynote Hon. Bob Debus, NSW Minister for Environment
Bob Debus was appointed Minister for the Environment in the New South Wales Government in April 1999. He is the longest serving Environment Minister in the State's history and retires this Election. During his tenure, the Government has implemented a number of key environmental reforms including new pollution laws, massive new national park additions and waste laws for extended producer responsibility.
 Michael Richardson, Shadow Environment Minister
Michael Richardson was first elected to represent the seat of The Hills in the NSW Parliament in a by-election in August 1993. He and his wife, Cherry, live in West Pennant Hills. He is the author of The Australian Guide to Self-Sufficiency, and Australia's Natural Wonders. He has also written a number of papers including Community Ties - Sustainable Community Development in NSW in the 21st Century. Currently Michael is the Shadow Minister for the Environment. His previous portfolios were Corrective Services and Housing.
Chair: Alan Tate - Partner, Cambiar 
Alan Tate has been involved in national and international climate change policy for more than 10 years. Throughout the 1990s, Alan was responsible for attending, analysing, and reporting the negotiated passage of the Kyoto Protocol for the national audience of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in his role as National Environment Correspondent. He has received Australia's most prestigious journalism award - the Gold Walkley and is the current senior deputy chairman of Environment Business Australia and a partner at Cambiar Pty Ltd
Panel:
 Jeff Angel – Executive Director, Total Environment Centre
Jeff is the Executive Director of Total Environment Centre and is without doubt one of Australia's most vocal environmental activists He has been an environmental campaigner since 1973 on a wide range of issues including: urban sustainability, waste management, air pollution, public transport, forest protection, threatened species, coastal planning, corporate environmental sustainability and renewable energy. He was a key figure responsible for the introduction of lead free petrol in Australia and the high profile environmental successes to save the South East Forests and Snowy River.
 Fiona Wain - CEO, Environment Business Australia
Fiona Wain has been the CEO of Environment Business Australia (EBA) for five years. She has successfully built the association into a powerful industry development body, 'think tank', and advocacy organisation dealing with environment, industry competitiveness in international markets, and business development issues. Fiona is a member of various advisories on trade, sustainability, climate change, eco-labelling, environment and energy. She has initiated and formed national working groups on land and water; environmental trading; climate change (EBA is recognised as the principal business voice advocating that Australia take a leadership position on climate change); and sustainability and the finance sector.
 Ken Morrison – NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia
Ken Morrison is the NSW Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, the national representative of the property industry. He is responsible for all aspects of the organisation’s policy development, government relations and public affairs in NSW. The Property Council is a leading advocate for greater strategic planning of our major cities, more efficient infrastructure funding mechanisms, taxation reform, planning reform and sustainable development.
 Mike Ritchie – President, Waste Management Association of Australia, NSW Branch
Mike is currently the National General Manager, Marketing and Communications for SITA Environmental Solutions. Previously the General Manager, Business Development at Waste Service NSW and also ran VISY NSW's kerbside and glass businesses. Mike was senior adviser to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, has worked as a marine biologist and as a director in local government. He is President of the NSW Branch of the Waste Management Association of Australia and a member of the national executive.
 Ric Brazzale – Executive Director, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Ric is Executive Director of the Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) a position he has held since April 1997. The BCSE is the national industry association and leading advocate for the sustainable energy industry in Australia. Ric participates in a number of industry and government consultative groups and chairs the Renewable Energy Action Agenda Group. Previously he worked with Westcoast Energy Australia, Fletcher Challenge Energy and the Victorian Gas Industry Reform Unit, Finance Manager for John Holland as well as Woodside Petroleum where he held a number of positions including corporate planning, gas marketing and finance.
 Paul Orton - General Manager, NSW Business Chamber
Paul has a background in public policy development, public affairs and economics, and heads up the Policy and Membership team at NSW Business Chamber. He leads a team responsible for co-ordinating and representing to all levels of government NSW Business Chamber's position on policy issues that affect business competitiveness including economic, industry, environmental, workplace and workforce skills issues. Prior to joining NSW Business Chamber, Paul worked in banking and in the public sector in communications and as a policy adviser at the NSW Cabinet Office and in Ministerial offices.
 Paul Gilding - Founding Partner – Ecos Corporation and Easy Being Green
Paul assists in formulating sustainable business strategies for some of the world's leading corporations. As a former Executive Director of Greenpeace International, his 20-year involvement with social change organisations has given him a comprehensive insight into business forecasting and identifying emerging trends.Since establishing Ecos Corporation in 1995, Paul has advised leading international corporations including DuPont, SC Johnson, the Ford Motor Company, Placer Dome as well as Australian corporations such as BHP, Lend Lease, Pacific Power and Western Mining.
Craig Johnston - Principal Policy Officer - Shelter (rep NCOSS)
Craig Johnston is the principal policy officer of Shelter NSW, the state's non-government advocacy organization for low-moderate income housing consumers. He has researched and written a number of reports for Shelter on urban sustainability including 'Land supply and housing affordability', 'Levying developers for affordable housing', 'Regeneration partnerships and communities', and 'State government revenues'. He has a masters in policy studies from the University of NSW.
Melbourne: 27th March 2007SpeakersKeynote Hon. John Thwaites, Victorian Deputy Premier, Minister for Environment and Water
Before entering Parliament in 1992, John Thwaites lived in South Melbourne and worked as a barrister. He was a local Councillor in the City of South Melbourne from 1985 to 1993, and Mayor in 1991 to 1992. In 1994, he became the Shadow Minister for Health, adding planning to his portfolio of responsibilities in early 1999.
With the Bracks Government's electoral victory in October 1999, John became Minister for Health and Minister for Planning. John was Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 1996 and has been Deputy Premier since 1999.
When the Bracks Government was re-elected in November 2002, two new departments were created - the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and the Department for Victorian Communities.
As Minister for both water and the environment, John has the challenge of maintaining a thriving economy while protecting the environment and ensuring there is enough water for everyone both now and in the future.
As Minister for Victorian Communities, John will play an integral role in achieving the Departments' core aim of building strong, active and resilient communities across Victoria and joining up government services at the local level.
Chair: Alan Tate - Partner, Cambiar
Alan Tate has been involved in national and international climate change policy for more than 10 years. Throughout the 1990s, Alan was responsible for attending, analysing, and reporting the negotiated passage of the Kyoto Protocol for the national audience of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in his role as National Environment Correspondent. He has received Australia's most prestigious journalism award - the Gold Walkley and is the current senior deputy chairman of Environment Business Australia and a partner at Cambiar Pty Ltd
Panel:Jeff Angel – Executive Director, Total Environment Centre
Jeff is the Executive Director of Total Environment Centre and is without doubt one of Australia's most vocal environmental activists He has been an environmental campaigner since 1973 on a wide range of issues including: urban sustainability, waste management, air pollution, public transport, forest protection, threatened species, coastal planning, corporate environmental sustainability and renewable energy. He was a key figure responsible for the introduction of lead free petrol in Australia and the high profile environmental successes to save the South East Forests and Snowy River.
 Tristan Edis – Policy and Research Manager, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Tristan Edis is the Policy and Research Manager for the BCSE, joining the organisation in January 2005. Tristan takes primary responsibility for BCSE's analytical work that underpins our lobbying and advocacy activities and numerous research reports and submissions covering developments in energy and greenhouse policy, technology and markets.
Prior to joining the BCSE, Tristan occupied a position as a Senior Policy Analyst within the Federal Government's Australian Greenhouse Office, where he worked on issues related to energy efficiency as well as transport. He also has several years experience working as a business consultant with Andersen Business Consulting and Ferrier Hodgson Turnaround Management assisting businesses with operational, finance and marketing issues.
 Peter Newman - Chair, WA Sustainability Roundtable
Peter Newman is the Professor of City Policy and Director of the Institute for Sustainability and Technology Policy, at Murdoch University. In 2006/7 he was in the US as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Virginia Charlottesville, examining innovations in sustainability in US cities, regions and states. This is based on comparative work he did in Western Australia at the political level when he worked with the Premier of WA from 2001 to 2004 to develop the State Sustainability Strategy; this was the first state in the world with such a strategy, covering 42 areas of government. In 2004-5 Peter was the NSW Sustainability Commissioner assisting with the production of the Metropolitan Strategy. He is well known in Perth for his work in rebuilding Perth’s rail system which is now seen as a model for modern cities. Peter’s academic work includes his book with Jeff Kenworthy 'Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence' which was launched in the White House in 1999 and his 2001 co-authored book is called ‘Back on Track: Rethinking Australian and New Zealand Transport.’ Peter is the author of the chapter on Greening Urban Transportation in Worldwatch Institute’s ‘State of the World, 2007’.
 Chris Davis - CEO, Australian Water Asssociation
Chris Davis is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Water Association and has been with AWA since early 1992. He has worked in water since 1973, covering design, research, construction, operations and management. He holds a bachelors degree and a masters in civil engineering, and an MBA in the stream of association management. Chris represents AWA and the water industry in general on numerous boards and committees around Australia and internationally.
 Mike Hill - Chair, The Victorian Local Sustainability Committee
Mike Hill is a board member for the Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria (SEAV) and Chair, Victorian Local Sustainability Committee, which is charged with developing an Accord between state and local governments.
Mike has held a number of senior state government positions including Chair of EcoRecycle Victoria, and he spent four years as a board member of Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria. In 2005 Mike was appointed as a member of the Board of Sustainability Victoria after a six-month period as a member of the Interim Advisory Board.
As a former local government councillor, former Mayor of Brunswick City Council and Moreland City Council, Mike is a strong advocate of community engagement and is very active in advocating local community participation in decision making for environmental and heritage protection.
Mike's commitment and concern for the environment is reflected in his current positions such as Chair of the Moreland Energy Foundation and Director and part proprietor of WestWyck Pty Ltd. WestWyck is one model for sustainable residential development or EcoHousing.
 Dave Craven - Executive Director (Southern), Green Building Council Australia
David has been appointed as Executive Director (Southern) and will be responsible for the states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. David has joined us from Sustainability Victoria where he led the Sustainable Buildings Function for five years. Prior to that, he spent ten years in industry as a practising architect, as well as three years at the Centre of Design at RMIT University researching and consulting on sustainable building practices.
 Martin Aylward - President, Waste Management Association Australia, Victorian branch
Martin has over 15 years experience in the Waste Management industry, having been the Region Manager for the largest Regional Waste Management group in Melbourne for some ten years and the Principal of Aylward & Associates a firm established in 1992 specialising in landfill operation and maintenance; with a particular skill in the landfill gas to electricity field.
Martin is currently the President of the Victorian branch of the Waste Management Association Australia and Chairman of Landfill Victoria a WMAA working group.
The DebateThe Hon. John Thwaites Minister for the Environment and Water will outline how the Victorian Government plan to achieve a sustainable economy. A panel of environmental NGOs and industry representatives from property, business, water, energy and waste discuss what this means for business and the environment – who will be the winners and what is needed to help business succeed.
State targets, Are they enough?
Get a clear picture of the Victorian environment portfolio.
What are the time frames?
Will targets and carbon trading be applied to water, waste and energy etc.?
Is Australia being left behind in the international stakes?
Is a sustainable economy a reality and how will they achieve this?
Who will succeed?
What are the barriers?
Guidelines or legislation – what is the answer?
Why you should be thereFor Business
Find out what the implications of election promises and current initiatives mean for your business.
Hear the perspectives of key environment groups.
For Community Groups
Understand the pros and cons of State plans for the environment and business
Hear the positions of business and policy makers
For Government
Hear business and community stakeholder perspectives and solutions to achieving a truly sustainable economy.
Understand the implications of current and future policy, legislation, and other frameworks.
Understand the extent to which these changes may affect government operations.
Background InformationNSW
Green Capital NSW Briefing Note
State Plan NSW – the NSW Government State Plan
Passing on Prosperity: lifting the High Bar on Reform – BCA’s analysis of the 2007 election issues.
NSW Environment Election Website
Environment groups analysis of the issues
Who Cares about the Environment in 2006? : The 2006 survey also explores the concepts of 'environment' and 'sustainability' in more depth as well as examines the motivations, triggers and barriers people have to adopting environmentally friendly behaviour in NSW.
NSW State Party Policy Pages
http://www.morrisiemma.com.au/
http://www.nsw.liberal.org.au/general/general/policies.html
Speakers /panellists positioning papers
Business Priorities for NSW 2007 by the NSW Business Chamber.
Shelter has released its position on the State Election and Housing with a paper Housing Directions 2007 and quick fact sheet.
Keynote speech - the Hon. Bob Debus [PDF 32Kb]
Waste Management Association of Australia - media release [PDF31Kb]
Melbourne
Sydney: Speakers
Melbourne: Speakers The Debate
Why you should be there
Background information |
