2008 Queensland Landcare Conference
21 - 24 September, Monto
Hosted by North Burnett Landcare Group

            
To Infinity ... and beyond
The theme of this year's Landcare Conference is Infinity:  Sustainability by Design.  The conference will have four streams which focus on sustainability - those streams are: landscapes, lifestyles, livelihoods and landspeak.   More information about our keynote speakers and MC will be made available in our next newsletter - make sure you sign up on this page.

Preliminary program now available
With 45 speakers, seven field trips and 22 concurrent workshops to choose from, our preliminary program is sure to offer something for everyone.
  
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A very unique event .....
Holding a conference of this size in a town like Monto brings with it some very unique challenges.  Delegates joining us at this conference will experience some of the finest Queensland country hospitality on offer!   Accommodation will be available in a range of styles.  A very (very) limited number of motel rooms are available; we are constructing a special conference tent city complete with beds (but BYO linen); and we are currently seeking expressions of interest from local families to host delegates in their homes.  More information about accommodation will be available in our next newsletter.

The conference venues will also offer delegates a real taste of the Burnett.  The Monto Showgrounds will be used for conference sessions - venues like the Woodchoppers Bar and the Stud Cattle Arena will be utilised for plenary and breakout sessions and you'll be greeted each day with a real bush breakfast.  Sounds tempting, huh?  We hope to see you there.
 
About the host town | Monto
Covering 4,295 square kilometres and with a population of 2,500, the Shire of Monto in the North Burnett is geographically situated in the Central Queensland hinterland approximately 200 kilometres west of the coastal cities of Bundaberg and Gladstone. The most prominent geological feature is the spectacular Cania Gorge located in the north of the Shire.

Monto enjoys a sub-humid moderate climate, with an average 728mm of rain annually.  The shire has a diversity of industry including beef cattle, lucerne growing, pig production, dairying, timber and grain growing, with farms ranging in size from 10 to over 10,000 hectares.  The beef cattle population in Monto shire is approximately 80,000 head.  Emerging industries include vegetable and fruit producation, farm forestry, grape growing, venison, squab, olives, goats and craft industries.
With a wealth of natural beauty and biodiversity,

Monto Shire has developed a thriving tourism industry. Cania George National Park occupies more than 3000 hectares, and offers dramatic sandstone rock formations which overlook lush forest gullies. Visitors enjoy an amazing variety of scenery, wildlife and history along the many walking tracks available. The park is less than 30 kilometres away from the township of Monto.  Kroombit Tops National Park, on the border of Monto, Calliope and Banana Shires boasts overwhelming open rainforest, imposing grasstrees, 6 metre high fern trees, Piccabeen palms and gigantic blue gums.  Views extend from the Great Dividing Range, rising from the rugged country below to the Pacific Ocean.  (Information courtesy of North Burnett Regional Council).

            
Accommodation aplenty in Monto
There are plenty of accommodation options to suit all tastes (well nearly) and budgets in Monto.

The Conference tent city, housing delegates in spacious, carpeted purpose-built tents will be the most cost effective and convenient option.  Tents come with beds and are located adjacent to the conference registration and trade zone, toilets, warm showers and a secure cloak room for valuables

Motels, hotels, billeting and caravan park spaces are also available.  For more information, read the accommodation information sheet (available for download below), or contact Event Manager, Samantha Morris on 07 3012 7617 or sam@wombatcreative.com.au. 
   
Sponsors and exhibitors still being sought

Holding a conference in a town as unique as Monto brings with it very unique challenges, so we need as much financial support as possible to make this conference a reality.  The benefits are enormous!

Community display zone

A community display zone is being planned for one of the meal areas, located directly adjacent to the trade exhibition hall.  Grassroots landcare and community conservation groups are welcome to book space in the community display zone at no cost.  Space will be made available for posters, brochures and digital stories about landcare projects happening around the state. 

For more information, please contact Conference Manager, Samantha Morris at Wombat Creative on 0421 709 519 or email sam@wombatcreative.com.au.
 
Registration packages available in April
Registration packages for the 2008 Queensland Landcare Conference will be available from 28 April.  It is expected that registration costs will be similar to the 2007 Conference held in Mackay.  To ensure you receive information about registration, please join the conference mailing list by completing the form on this page.
 
            
            
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2008 landcare mr