Wednesday 13 May 2009
Welcome Reception

Thursday 14 May 2009
Field Trips
Conference Dinner

 

Conference Dinner Venue: Paradise Room, Sea World Delegates enjoyed an evening of delicious dinner and wine amidst exciting entertainment, whilst overlooking Sea World at night. A fun filled evening was held for new and old friends.
Field Trip 1 – Community Management
Visit Gold Coast’s last remaining mainland tertiary dune system on the doorstep of the conference venue. Delegates obtained a first hand insight into a successful community revegetation and management program. Delegates assisted the Friends of Federation Walk by undertaking revegetation works and experienced first hand, the work involved in developing, managing and implementing a community revegetation program. The Friends of Federation Walk is a community group working in partnership with Gold Coast City Council, local business and the general community to ensure that this area remains as one of the most beautiful sections of the Gold Coast.
Field Trip 2 – Managing Competing Interests Effective coastal planning and management inherently requires an intricate understanding and appreciation of a multitude of competing social, economic and environmental interests. Providing equal opportunities for all coastal interests is an extremely complex task particularly on the Gold Coast where the coast is the essence of the local economy, recreational activities and the tourism industry. Delegates travelled to various locations across the Gold Coast, witnessing the vast array of competing interests and some of the innovative solutions Gold Coast City Council has adopted to manage these. Whilst on route, experts from the EPA and Council briefed delegates with regards to locations. An expert coastal geomorphologist was also be on board to explain the various coastal landforms and the processes responsible for their formation. Delegates stopped at Point Danger lookout, Kirra Beach, Currumbin, Palm Beach and the Broadwater, the tour focussed on 4 main competing interests: 1. Recreation (surfing vs. fishing vs. boating) 2. Indigenous 3. Industry (desalination plant, Tweed Sand Bypass) 4. Development (canal estates and beachfront developments) Field Trip 3 – Marine Rescue
Polar Bears Tutorial and Behind the Scenes Experience Behind-the-Scenes at Polar Bear Shores for the experience of a lifetime. Delegates came face to face with one of the world's most amazing and intelligent land carnivores. An experienced Sea World Education Officer, lead delegates around polar shores where they learnt about the Polar bears' fascinating abilities, gaining a personal appreciation of the relationship between the preservation of the world's environment and the survival of its inhabitants.         Shark Bay Tutorial and Snorkel Experience Shark Bay is the world's largest man-made lagoon system for sharks and houses some of the most awe-inspiring of the species in an innovative exhibit. History reflects a turbulent relationship between man and sharks - one of the world's greatest predators. Shark Bay reveals a new dimension of understanding and will unravel the mystery and misconception surrounding this majestic marine species. The two-level exhibit provides spectacular viewing for guests both above-water as well as underwater through three 10 x 3 metre windows, allowing guests to come face to face with the large sharks, stingrays and a range of exotic tropical fish. Twelve delegates were given the opportunity to snorkel in Sea World's own Barrier Reef lagoon where they saw more fascinating marine life than a dive on the reef itself. Getting up close and personal in our stunning reef environment, featuring a selection of beautiful tropical fish, rays and other fascinating marine life including our harmless Leopard and White-tip Reef sharks.

Refer to www.iceaustralia.com/qldcoast09/