Redesigning Water Management through Water Sensitive Urban Design
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

The case for Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) has become a core principle in sustainable water management approaches. Explore some of the drivers behind adoption of WSUD, how WSUD can be integrated into core business, learn how to successfully overcome obstacles in relation in implementing WSUD, and hear from other local government and practitioner experiences.

Key session outcomes
· A first principle approach that demonstrates how WSUD can help local government to adapt to a changing environment as a result of climate change;
· To gain an understanding of what WSUD principles are to the extent that they can incorporate these in a practical way into planning and/or other actions; and
· Learn from local government and practitioner experiences on how to integrate WSUD into core business, including planning, cross council approach, cost/benefit analysis, maintenance, and overcoming obstacles in relation to WSUD.

Facilitated by
Kris Swaffer, Water Campaign State Manager - South Australia , ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability – Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Chris Chesterfield, General Manager Waterways Group, Melbourne Water, Vic
Dr Tim Fletcher, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Water Resources, Monash University, Vic
Geoff Ovens, Manager of Environment & Public Spaces, City of Stonnington Council, Vic

Triple Bottom Line Tools for Embedding Sustainability in to Council Operations

Need to know more about the practical side of sustainability? Learn through a hands-on demonstration of Triple Bottom Line (TBL) tools developed specifically for local council use. Participants will learn how to apply TBL tools in their organisation, and receive TBL tools to take home. An ideal opportunity to connect with other councils and practitioners looking to embed sustainability into their operations.

Key session outcomes
· The ability to build and use TBL tools at council;
· Greater linkages with other councils looking to embed sustainability;
· Increased understanding of what are TBL tools and how they can be used to benefit council operations ; and
· Be inspired to explore opportunities for using new and emerging TBL tools at council.

Facilitated by
Kate McKeand, Executive Manager, Sustainability Services, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Sourcing & Maintaining Long Term Funding
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An emerging management competency for the 21st century now includes skills in identifying and sourcing funding to implement action. This session aims to provide an overview of funding streams and opportunities and the core considerations for funding sustainable action. Examples of where action has been successfully funded and effectively implemented will be presented. These will be used to elaborate upon some of the less common funding streams that are available and identify the key skills that make funding proposals successful.

Key session outcomes
· Familiarity with the resources that summarise funding streams and detail external funding opportunities;
· Understanding of the core considerations required in sourcing funding and implementing action;
· Insight into less common internal or external funding streams; and
· A worked example of the preparation of an action and the production of a funding application.

Facilitated by
Alex Crisp, CCP State Unit Manager, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Mr Richard Nott, Director , Community Water Grants , Department of the Environment and Water Resources, ACT
Mr Steele Adams , AMEIF Project Coordinator, Newcastle City Council , NSW

Accelerating Sustainable Public Lighting Actions
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Public lighting has emerged as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Explore how councils undertaking Sustainable Public Lighting (SPL) Action Plans have increasingly been implementing sustainable public lighting actions and, in the process, gaining valuable insights in regard to technological, financial and strategic aspects of their sustainable public lighting work.

SPL technologies offer excellent opportunities for significant energy, financial and greenhouse savings without compromising public safety and aesthetics. This session will help accelerate current local government momentum through information and practical skills development around the central areas of current status regarding technological trials and knowledge; cost benefit analysis options; and progressing agenda through working in regional alliances.

Key session outcomes
· Strategic identification of key barriers to the immediate implementation of (and to a lesser extent medium to longer term) SPL plans, and practical ways to overcome these, including by networking and accessing available resources; and
· Explore, through this highly motivated network of practitioners, best practice advice regarding overcoming key barriers to accelerate the installation of SPL technologies.

Facilitated by
Gabrielle Breen, CCP State Unit Manager, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Bronwyn Pollock, Director of Community Partnerships at the Australian Greenhouse Office, in the Department of the Environment and Water Resources, ACT
Jeff Green, Manager, Environmental Services, Coffs Harbour City Council, NSW
Paul Brown, Greenhouse Officer, Nillumbik Shire Council, Vic

NOTE - two public lighting night tours are also on offer to delegates on Wednesday 2nd May.
Go to field events for more information.

Sustainable Public Lighting Night Tour – Melbourne

This one hour walking tour will demonstrate four different lighting types in Melbourne city, including 35W and 70W metal halides, low emitting diodes (LEDs), the twin 14W T5 fluorescent in an indoor setting (in CH2), and some simple flood lighting.

The tour will explore their performance and light output from a qualitative perspective, and issues around maintenance and energy use.

The tour is lead by an experienced public lighting council through Ian Dryden, Senior Industrial Designer, City of Melbourne

The tour departs 6pm from the Grand Hyatt and ends at 7pm on Lygon St, and is followed by an optional networking dinner.

The event is free of charge but attendees will need to buy their own tram ticket and dinner.

For bookings register direct with with Grace Ludekens, City of Melbourne, on 03 9658 8693 or grace.ludekens@melbourne.voc.gov.au

We would like to thank the City of Melbourne for hosting this event.

Sustainable Public Lighting Night Tour – Sunbury

This two hour bus tour will demonstrate six different lighting types in greater Melbourne, including the 42W compact fluorescent (new eco-version), the 50W high pressure sodium, two versions of the twin T5 greenstreet fluorescent (standard and high performance), the Standard 80W Mercury Vapour, and an 80W Mercury Vapour retrofitted to accept compact fluorescent.

The tour will explore their performance and light output from a qualitative perspective, and issues around maintenance and energy use.

The tour is lead by an experienced public lighting council, through Stuart Nesbitt, Sustainable Resources Technical Officer, Hume City Council.

The tour will be preceded by an optional networking dinner, departing 6pm from the Grand Hyatt and eating at a nearby restaurant. The tour will then start at 7:00pm and end back at the Grand Hyatt by 9.10pm.

The event is free of charge but attendees will need to buy their own dinner.

For bookings register direct with Paul Brown, Greenhouse Officer, Nillumbik Shire Council, on 03 9433 3219, paul.brown@nillumbik.vic.gov.au

We would like to thank Nillumbik Shire Council and Hume City Council for hosting this event.

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Engaging Communities and Stakeholders for Sustainable Outcomes
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The practice of sustainability requires a commitment to engage communities and stakeholders to achieve lasting and effective outcomes. Understand the methodology behind effective engagement processes and share how leading practitioners have created effective behaviour and practice change approaches.

A primary objective of government and community organisations is to improve the liveability, prosperity, health and well being of our municipality and their communities. In order to achieve this we need to be aware of the strategic objectives of our region and influence communities and stakeholders to come along with us to meet these.

The session will be broadly applicable to a wide range of contexts and situations and is intended to allow all participants to utilise the frameworks and apply these in the context of their choice.

Key session outcomes
· Knowledge, methodologies and examples to enable delegates to engage a target audience or stakeholder; and
· Explore how to identify, conceptualise and deliver an engagement project, with key take home learnings applicable for multiple engagement processes.

Facilitated by
Liam O'Keefe, CCP State Unit Manager, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Chris Linehan, Senior Social Researcher, Practice Change Research, Department of Primary Industries, Vic
Anna Strempel, Community Project Officer , Moreland Energy Foundation, Vic
Laura Donnellan, Greenhouse Coordinator , Moreland City Council , Vic
Jason Menzies, Regional Greenhouse Co-ordinator, South East Regional Energy Group, WA

Beyond Hurdles: A Showcase of Sustainability in Action
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

Advancing action to improve sustainability is possible in any council and organisation, whether you're starting out and want to learn about the basic building blocks required or want to implement more ambitious goals within council and the community. Explore how councils and stakeholders identify opportunities, overcome barriers and create strategies and actions that demonstrate leadership in practice. Apply these insights and be challenged to re-think your definition of “business as usual”.

Key session outcomes
· Identify opportunities within organisations for innovative actions that improve councils long term sustainability and build the business case for implementation;
· Assess barriers to implementation and develop strategies and techniques to overcome these; and
· Explore examples of successful innovative council actions, what it takes to get there and the TBL advantages of pursuing innovative actions.

Facilitated by
Alicia Groves, CCP State Unit Manager, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Mayor Bob Harvey, Waitakere City Council , New Zealand
Garry Ewart, Thuringowa City Council, QLD
Rob Adams, Director City Design, City of Melbourne, Vic
Romilly Madew, Chief Executive, Green Buildings Council of Australia

Integrating Sustainability into your Organisation

This is a "how-to" session to assist councils to embed sustainability thinking and triple bottom line practices into their organisation. The session highlights a number of strategies and actions to make sustainability part of “business-as-usual”, focusing on techniques for operational planning and strengthening communication and collaboration across council.

Key session outcomes
· Practical understanding of the requirements for embedding sustainability into plans, strategies and systems at council;
· Opportunity to explore different approaches to integrating sustainability, focusing on organisational planning and cross-council information sharing processes;
· Confidence to take ideas and strategies back to council and apply them and have the opportunity to share experiences with other councils who are working to integrate sustainability into their operations; and
· Opportunity to share experiences with other councils who are working to integrate sustainability into their operations.

Facilitated by
Kate McKeand, Executive Manager and Ruth Henshall, Sustainability Services Project Manager, Sustainability Services, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Kaarina Sarac, Environmental Policy Officer, Campbelltown City Council, SA
Martin Bass, Manager Corporate Planning, North Sydney Council, NSW

Transport Strategies for Sustainable Outcomes
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

Learn how councils and stakeholders can deliver financial, economic and social benefits within their own operations and to their communities through an integrated approach to sustainable transport planning. Cross sector partnerships to meet community needs are explored through best practice examples, program models and expert insights to build successful and beneficial sustainable transport programs.

Key session outcomes
· Successful methods for creating interdepartmental and senior management buy-in for sustainable transport initiatives across council and community;
· Information on the range of sustainable transport initiatives available to local government and how successful councils have applied these; and
· A network of councils and stakeholders all exploring how they can work collaboratively to assist Local Government to address sustainable transport challenges.

Facilitated by
Michael Cann, CCP Sustainable Transport Officer, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Cr Richard Budd, Environment Canterbury Regional Council New Zealand
Nigel Walker, Team Leader of Travel Behaviour Change, Noosa Shire Council, Qld
Beth Riordan, Assistant Director, Community Partnerships Team, Australian Greenhouse Office, in the Department of the Environment and Water Resources

Adaptation Initiative: Building capacity for climate change impacts
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

As the climate is changing so too are the challenges facing local government. In this changing world, local governments need to enhance their capacity to anticipate and respond to this change, harness opportunities and manage risks, while helping their communities adapt to the consequences of climate change. This is a big undertaking and the Adaptation session will introduce new ways of thinking and tackling this issue.

Key session outcomes
· Introducing ‘The Art of Adaptation', the session will challenge and invite delegates to increase their inner capabilities to deal with complexity and uncertainty;
· Engage in conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing local government in adapting to the impacts of climate change and variability; and
· Introduce delegates to the CCP Adaptation Initiative and governance structure, and provide them with an opportunity to identify how they can be involved with and contribute to this exciting new initiative.

Facilitated by
Patti Wenn, Executive Manager, CCP-A/NZ, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Anne Marie DeRose, CCP Adaptation Initiative Manager, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand
Natalie McDonagh, McDonagh Design (The Art of Thinking)

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Advancing Local Economic Development
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

Climate change is affecting local and regional economies in a variety of ways, making some traditional income streams and business models less viable. Explore how councils can work with stakeholders and business communities to identify and foster local economic development opportunities that are emerging as we begin the transition to a more sustainable low-carbon economy. Potential opportunities related to renewable energy, energy & resource efficiency, and innovation for sustainability will be explored.

Key session outcomes
· Explore the role played by Local Governments in local economic development and how this role might be aligned to promote and showcase sustainable economic development with examples by councils discussed;
· Learn how councils support local businesses to adopt energy and resource efficiency measures; foster local supply of and demand for appropriate renewable energy technologies and assist to foster business ‘innovation for sustainability'; and
· Be inspired by the concept that responding to climate change holds significant opportunity for realignment towards a low-carbon, more sustainable economy.

Facilitated by
Brett Mcdonald, CCP State Unit Manager, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Peter Neilson, Chief Executive, New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development
Jenniy Gregory, Industry Development Manager, Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Sandra Wilson, North West Region Greenhouse/Sustainability Facilitator, Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and formerly a Resource Efficiency Advisor with the Australian Industry Group

Local Governments Responding to Water Scarcity
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

Councils are facing increasing pressures from a number of external sectors to accelerate their water conservation efforts. Local governments are responding to these pressures in constructive and innovative ways.

One of the major issues councils have been facing relates to meeting increasingly stringent government requirements and obligations, including water restrictions. Another significant issue has been responding to evolving community opinions and expectations as they become increasingly aware of the need to conserve water.

Key session outcomes
· Learn how leading councils are voluntarily going beyond compliance, adjusting their policies and management approaches in preparation for our changing times;
· Explore how councils have started to find new and innovative ways to use government requirements to their advantage and achieve real advances towards water conservation best practice in the long term; and
· Engage in utilising water restrictions as a tool to educate our communities further.

Facilitated by
Sarah Blagrove Water Campaign State Manager – West Australia, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability - Australia/New Zealand

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Claude Puccinin, Deputy Executive Director, Water Services Association of Australia
Michael Smith, Parks Business Unit Leader, City of Greater Dandenong, Vic

Australasian Mayors Council on Climate Protection
Join the pre-conference online discussion forum for this session

This session is for elected members only
All CCP Mayors, nominated councillors and senior managers are invited to participate in the first planning meeting for the inauguration of the Australasian Mayors Council for Climate Protection (AMCCP), an initiative of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability – Oceania (ICLEI Oceania).

The AMCCP will be launched at the conclusion of the conference, and will provide an avenue for the 240 CCP Mayors and their councils to provide leadership and drive for local climate protection action. The AMCCP will progress issues critical to an effective Australasian local government agenda and will demonstrate the non-partisan and pivotal role of local government to accelerate action on climate protection. The session will workshop the pathways necessary to achieving 'Carbon Neutral Communities'.

Facilitated by
Martin Brennan, Executive Manager, ICLEI Oceania

Guest Panellists and Contributors
The Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser
Ian Kiernan, Chairman and Founder, Clean Up Australia and Clean Up the World
Cr Bob Abbot, Mayor, Noosa Shire Council, Queensland
Mayor Nick Berman, Hornsby Shire Council, New South Wales and ICLEI Oceania Executive Committee Member
Mayor Bob Harvey, Waitakere City Council, New Zealand
His Worship the Mayor Dick Hubbard, Auckland City Council, New Zealand
Mayor Ivan Brooks, City of Mitcham, South Australia
Mayor Paddi Creevey, Mandurah City Council, Western Australia
Mayor Fran Kilgariff, Alice Springs Town Council, Northern Territory
Mayor Alan Milne, Kapiti Coast District Council, New Zealand
Lord Mayor Robert Valentine, Hobart City Council, Tasmania
Lord Mayor John So, City of Melbourne, Victoria, represented by Cr Fraser Brindley, ICLEI Oceania Executive Committee Member
Wayne Wescott, Chief Executive Officer, ICLEI Oceania

Sustainability Reporting as a Driver of Sustainability Innovation

Discover how sustainability reporting can drive innovation and bring change within local government. Drawing on the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) Reporting Guidelines, consider how sustainability reporting can be progressed by local government, with highlighted ‘good practice' case study examples.

Session will also assist to identify processes and practices to establish, or improve, sustainability reporting to drive innovation and change.

Key session outcomes
· Increased understanding of sustainability reporting;
· Enhanced capacity to use reporting to monitor and manage performance;
· Greater ability to use reporting processes to drive innovation and change; and
· Shared understanding about issues faced by local government and ideas on how to overcome them.

Facilitated by
Phil Hughes Director, Centre Public and Sustainability Reporting (CPASR) and
John Collins Assistant Director, CPASR

Guest Panellists and Contributors
Dr Robyn Lesson, Director Regulatory Innovation Unit, EPA Victoria, Vic
Clare Porter, Sustainability Planner, Melbourne Water, Vic

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Walkable Melbourne - Sponsored by the City of Melbourne
Half day trip

Walkability is often connected with a city's liveability and is fundamental to its sustainability. It presents a complex urban challenge that demands good strategic policy and sound urban design. Join the City of Melbourne's urban form experts, Senior Architect, David Pryor and Senior Urban Designer, Jenny Rayment, as they provide their insights into what make Melbourne a layered and walkable city!

Explore interesting public spaces as we stroll to the top end of Collins Street, explore the arts precinct in Flinders Lane and wander the beautiful Block Arcade. Along the journey we will stop to interpret spaces such as Federation Square, the riverfront vaults and the more recent QV development. Of course the walkable/liveable experience would not be compete without providing bellissimo Melbourne coffee and cake at a local café.

The tour will allow us to explore real examples of:

* Considering the needs of the pedestrian - permeability, connectivity, public transport integration and access for people with limited mobility;
* How urban design and architecture and can elevate the pedestrian experience;
* The value of safety, lighting, maps & signage;
* The activation of the public realm through aesthetics such as sculpture and the blending of function with creativity to enhance the experience of the pedestrian;
* The value of hard and soft landscape; and
* Developing a sense of place.


The tour will take approximately 2.5 hours and will proceed even if it's a Melbourne four seasons in one day – please wear good walking shoes and feel free to bring an umbrella! For more information on the City of Melbourne's urban design programs visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/enviornment


High Performance Buildings in Melbourne's CBD
Sponsored by the City of Melbourne
Half day trip

Visit the inner workings of two of Australia's leading green buildings: 40 Albert Road and Melbourne's Council House 2. Learn how they outperform other buildings and be inspired to accelerate your council's approach to commercial building.

Our first stop on the tour will be 40 Albert Rd, South Melbourne, a commercial office building refurbished to achieve a six Green Star rating. The refurbishment was conceived to achieve best practice in sustainability and occupant comfort, while at the same time demonstrating sustainable innovations that are both commercially viable and practical.

For more information on 40 Albert Rd visit:  < http://www.ourgreenoffice.com/ > www.ourgreenoffice.com/

Next we will visit the City of Melbourne's Council House 2 (CH2), demonstrating leadership in sustainable building design. Learn about the technology and the innovation required to achieve a maximum six Green Star certified rating including sewer mining, water recycling, phase-change materials for cooling, electricity co-generation, solar photovoltaic cells, 100% fresh air ventilation, vertical gardens and more.

For more information on CH2 visit: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=171&pg=1933

Tram tickets will be provided – all you need to bring is some sensible shoes, a water bottle and a jacket.


Go With The Flow: Local Water Action
Full day trip

See how local government is leading the way in implementing practical sustainable water management actions across highly urbanised and fringe locations.

Travel from the north of the Port Phillip and Western Port region to explore a variety of local government actions underway. Council representatives will provide their insight about what has motivated and inspired these innovative water developments.

A representative from the Port Phillip and Western Port Catchment Management Authority will provide an overview of broader catchment management issues and the crucial role local government plays in the integrated approach to catchment management.

The tour will travel through the Maribyrnong catchment, the Werribee catchment and the Yarra catchment.

Destinations include:

* Hume City Council - A new 5 star rated council office building noting water saving devices as well as other sustainability features;
* Darebin City Council - Stormwater harvesting in a parks environment and a green precinct integrated urban water conservation project;
* Maribyrnong City Council - Two football grounds with drought tolerant turf including an AFL football club's training ground;
* Hobsons Bay City Council - An open space revegetation project adjacent to a Ramsar wetland; and
* Melbourne City Council - A wetland that treats and harvests water for playing fields irrigation.


A delicious lunch will be provided – all you need to bring is some sensible shoes, a water bottle and a jacket.


The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies
(CERES) and Moreland Energy Foundation (MEFL)
Full day trip

Join us to visit two inspirational and unique community environment projects in the City of Moreland. Firstly, we will explore CERES (the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies), a community environment project located along Merri Creek in Brunswick. Secondly (a new addition!), we will visit the Phoenix Fridge Project, an initiative managed by the Moreland Energy Foundation Limited (MEFL).

CERES
CERES is a decommissioned landfill site, converted into an urban oasis. It now serves as a living demonstration of sustainability principles and aims to foster awareness and action on environmental and social issues affecting urban areas.

Each year about 60 000 students visit the site for sustainability education programs. CERES is also a very popular with the broader community. Each week thousands of people visit the CERES Café, the organic market, music and cultural events and the various sustainability projects on display.

At CERES we will be taken on a comprehensive guided tour of the site. Topics to be explored include:

* The unique sustainability education programs offered by CERES;
* The diverse range of projects located on the site;
* The water and energy saving features of the on-site buildings; and
* The role local government plays in supporting CERES.


Lunch at the CERES organic café is included.

For more information visit www.ceres.org.au .

MEFL
MEFL is an independent not-for-profit organisation established by the Moreland City Council to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the municipality.

A much talked about MEFL initiative is the Phoenix Fridge Project. The project aims to increase the energy efficiency of second-hand fridges distributed to low income households, providing an opportunity for increased social equity while responding to critical environmental issues. The outcomes are threefold: a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, more economical operating costs for low-income household and the creation of employment and economic opportunities.

We will be taken on a tour of the fridge retrofit facilities and a MEFL representative will discuss the MEFL's diverse work and its relationship with the City of Moreland.

For more information visit www.mefl.com.au .