2011 Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 4:15pm - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 4:25pm
2011 President’s Report - Pam Dean-Jones
It is a great pleasure to report on the achievements of HEI over the last twelve months. I am confident that our profile as an organisation working hard to promote quality environmental practice in the Hunter region has continued to grow. As a result, environmental practitioners turn to our seminars as an opportunity to hear about and discuss innovative environmental projects and policy. These outcomes are at the heart of the role of HEI. We are not a lobby or activist organisation, but we do seek to provide forums where environmental professionals and the community can build knowledge and share ideas about emerging issues, so that as individuals they are able to provide informed input and leadership. In addition, there are many environmental projects in the Hunter region that are leading practice in environmental research and its application in new solutions to environmental challenges. HEI has a role in providing opportunities to showcase these projects. So what specifically have we achieved in 2010/11?
Major seminars
In June 2010, HEI convened a special half day seminar – Getting Better with Practice? Our speakers discussed changes to environmental management in the region over the last ten years – technology, legislation and policy and concepts of best practice. They also presented perspectives on whether these changes are making a difference – is the health of our regional environment improving? Are new issues emerging? What’s worked well and what needs to be revisited in the future? Keynote speaker Brian Gilligan inspired everyone with his challenge to work together for even better regional outcomes. More than 100 people joined us for the afternoon, with many staying on for dinner and a further presentation from Simon Molesworth in the evening. We thank our business sponsors and the speakers who made this event very successful. In 2011, we followed up with another challenging half day seminar, this time exploring the future energy role of the region. Twelve expert speakers from industry, CSIRO, local government, OEH, DTIRIS and Newcastle University provided insights into how the energy generation, distribution and consumption practices of the region are being or could be transformed. The afternoon commenced with key note presentations from Brad Mullard (Executive Director Minerals NSW) and James McGregor, (CSIRO Technology). Once again, around 100 professionals joined us for the afternoon, a great turn out. We thank our sponsoring businesses and all of our speakers for making this a very exciting seminar. In addition, the seminar gained us exposure on regional ABC radio, and we made a profit to reinvest in scholarships for future environmental professionals.
Pre Election Planning Policy Review
In the lead up to the March State election, HEI invited local Liberal (Tim Owen) and Greens (James Ryan) candidates to make short presentations about their approach to potential reforms to the EP&A Act. The seminar attracted more than 100 people and was a good introduction to the strategic direction of the likely incoming government. There was opportunity for multiple questions and also for HEI members to provide commentary on key issues of significance in our region.
Other seminars
In addition to our major seminars, members have been exposed to a wide range of initiatives and projects across the region, including: · Continental scale ecological connectivity conservation through the Great Eastern Ranges Project· Community consultation experiences for a major construction project in Uzbekistan· Challenges and achievements in the remediation of the South Arm of the Hunter River – contaminated by a nearly a century of steel production.· Figtree Community Garden – applying sustainability principles at the local scale. We thank each of the organisations and speakers who made these events possible.
Building partnerships
In 2010/11 HEI has continued to build a strong partnership with the Tom Farrell Institute at Newcastle University. This takes the form of TFI sponsorship for our major events, cross advertising on HEI and TFI websites, HEI members attending TFI seminars on campus and HEI contributions to the TFI newsletter. We have also continued to fine tune our relationship with the University scholarship program. Unfortunately we were not able to award a scholarship this year. We have decided in 2011/12 to increase the value of our scholarships. We will also promote with our members the opportunities available through the University’s Industry Scholarships program. We are considering other potential special purpose scholarships. HEI has nine ‘Gold’ members – Aurecon, Centennial Coal, Douglas Partners, Eco Biological, GHD, Parsons Brinkerhoff, RCA Australia, Smart Future Consulting and the Tom Farrell Institute. We thank them for their support and also thank our 11 corporate members. Between them, these organisations span the scope of environmental practice in the region.
HEI Committee
As you can see, these are significant achievements for a regional organisation. They are made possible by the efforts of a great committee. They are an inspired, hard working team that has put in a lot of extra miles this year. I’d like to particularly acknowledge and congratulate all of this group for their efforts: Secretary: Jon NovoselacTreasurer: Susan NilandVice President: Scott EvansCommittee members: Jillian Kral, Carlie McLung, Dave Johnson, Kylie Wallace
The future
What’s in store in 2011/2012? We are working on new opportunities for members to provide feedback and suggestions for seminars. We are looking at new scholarships and industry experience opportunities with the University and will continue to build our partnership with TFI We are considering new ways for HEI to contribute to the regional debate on environmental issues, taking forward the views of our members. And of course, we will present a program of seminars on issues of significance to the environmental future of our region. We are hoping for instance to have NSW Office of Water present progress on the NSW Aquifer Interference Policy in the near future. We are also looking to a third major seminar, mid year.
I thank all our members for being part of HEI this year and encourage both corporate members and individuals to step up to a committee role, helping to shape the future of HEI.
President/Chair
Pam Dean-Jones
This meeting has been held.