Integrating products, resources and waste is the key to creating sustainable solutions for food production and resource management. This is the main message being promoted at the "Sustainable Solutions" workshop on Integrated Food Production and Resource Management.
The national workshop is open to the public and is being held at the Bardon Professional Centre, Brisbane, on 9-10 November. It brings together farmers, industry leaders, technologists, resource managers and planners to explore integrated options for a sustainable Australia. Speakers from a range of international organisations will bring a global perspective to the challenges facing resource managers.
"Sustainability is rapidly moving into the mainstream agenda. However, at a time when we are putting increasing pressure on water, energy reserves and other resources, we continue to underutilise and waste our natural assets through inefficiency," the workshop co-organiser, Dr Kev Warburton of The University of Queensland said.
"Economic and environmental pressures are driving a global trend towards integration. However, to stimulate investment, current moves must be underpinned by a framework for R&D and policy development that recognises the priorities of all key stakeholders."
A resource manual on integrated options for Australia will be produced as a result of the workshop. This manual will assist in providing a clearer framework for planning, R&D and collaboration in national and international projects.
The program will feature:
- Mr Peter Peterson, Senior Industry Development Officer, Department of Primary Industries: International comparisons of water re-use (Israeli fish-farms in the desert-why not Australia?)
- Mr Geoff Wilson, Executive Officer, The Urban Agriculture Network - Western Pacific: Converging technologies for rooftop microfarming in suburban shopping centres to grow fresh salad vegetables, fin fish and crustaceans using organic food waste.
- Dr Horst Doelle, Chair, International Organisation for Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Creating high-tech products using waste as biofuel in biorefineries-opportunities for Australia
For more information about the workshop, contact Dr Kev Warburton (telephone: 07 3365 2979, email: K.Warburton@mailbox.uq.edu.au) or visit the InFoRM 2000 website http://inform2000.laf.uq.edu.au
For individual speakers:
Mr Peter Peterson (telephone: 07 3224 2694, mobile: 0408 758 890, email: peterspi@dpi.qld.gov.au)
Mr Geoff Wilson (telephone: 07 3349 1422, email: fawmpl@powerup.com.au)
Dr Horst Doelle (telephone: 07 3378 3180, email: doelle@ozemail.com.au)
