Venue: Novotel Pacific Bay Resort Coffs Harbour

Call for Papers Opens: 10th November 2011
Call for Papers Closes: 31st December 2011

Theme: “Let's get moving”

The impact of lifestyle choices on our health is constantly in the media. Not the least is the amount of and access to physical activity and healthy lifestyle options for the community.

As parks, leisure and recreation professionals what should/could/are we be doing about planning, developing and managing facilities that encourage our communities to “get moving”? Do WE need to “get moving” to meet the ever growing demand for facilties, services and programs?

Our 2012 conference theme, “let’s get moving” will hopefully inspire you to think about where you are heading....

Sub themes

Water and recreation

Water plays an essential part of everyday planning and management of parks and recreation facilites. This theme is not just about rain water (or lack thereof) for our sports fields and gardens, though it IS an important aspect. This sub theme can incorporate a range of ideas.

Here are some just for starters:

• Irrigation systems, grass types for seasonal sport – latest trends,
• Water based sports fields,
• Roof systems – for all year round sport,
• Impact of wet weather on events – event management – community events,
• Water play areas – not just beaches – now in plazas and a must in all swimming complexes – latest trends,
• Water recycling – latest trends/ evaluation of installation of water tanks in community facilities,
• Impact on sport when grounds are closed due to wet weather,
• Inland water systems – streams and rivers – management of riparian corridors,
• Are riparian corridors compatible with passive recreation?
• Sustainable planting, low care landscaping,
• Drinking taps in park – needed or not?
• Garden competitions – most Councils have them – but how effective are they?

Healthy communities and innovation

Have you thought about the things you do in your work life and how your choices can impact on the everyday healthy life choices of the community?

From the development of a local play area and construction of a footpaths, to the planning of a major new release area....

The decisions you make as recreation and open space planners, senior managers, parks managers, policy officers, facility managers and programers, urban planners, engineers, landscape architects and technical officers will all impact on the ability and willingness of the communtiy to "get moving".

Share with your colleagues how you have got your community moving

This is your chance to share your expertise, experiences, ideas and solutions with colleagues who are facing similar issues and challenges. It is an opportunity to connect with others in the field.

As an acknowledgement of the work required to prepare and present a paper, speakers are entitled to a discounted speaker rate to attend the conference.

Presentation format

The format for presentations will be slightly different for the 2012 state conference. Speakers are invited to present for 20 minutes only. (Key note speakers will be allocated a longer time period) Presentations will need to be short, sharp and to the point. Time will be allocated at the end of each session for questions and discussion.

All presentations will take place on Thursday 29th March.

Abstracts should be no longer than 250 words.

You will be asked to provide:

Name of speaker/s
Organisastion/s
Email/s
Phone – mobile + work
150 word biography
Title of presentation
Sub theme

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