Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional AustraliaSEGRA 2009 workshops
Workshops on Monday 26 October 2009
| 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Practitioners' Workshop for Managing Climate Change | Facilitators: Associate Professor Peter Waterman, University of the Sunshine Coast and Professor Bob Miles, Executive Director, Miles Consulting Services |
| 12 noon – 4:00 pm | Economic Development Practitioners Toolbox | Facilitator: Jay Hardison, Manager, Property & Economic Development, City of Belmont |
| 12 noon – 4:00pm | Tendering and Evaluation: testing the market and securing the deal | Facilitator: Andrew Blitz, Business Development Manager, Western Australian Local Government Association |
Practitioners' Workshop for Managing Climate Change
With climate changing at twice the rate originally projected, understanding the environmental, social and economic dimensions and responses for adapting to climatic variability is a critical issue for regional Australia. Climate change adaptation needs to be mainstreamed into local and regional development policy, plans, programs and projects of governments and business. The Practitioners Workshop for Managing Climate Change aims to show how this can be done and provides the tools, case studies and workshop examples for the practitioner. Decision support systems will also be demonstrated which will provide for climate simulation modelling suitable for application in your region.
The Practitioners Workshop for Managing Climate Change aims to:
- Take a practical business oriented approach to managing climate change
- Provide insights to strengthen the essential links between perspectives and policy on climate change adaptation as well as providing the tools and techniques required for reducing risks and impacts,
- Demonstrate how economic development practitioners, planners and natural resources managers in regional Australia can be readily equipped to meet the challenges of climatic variability and extreme weather conditions.
Key issues for discussion include:
- approaches to adaptation through risk reduction,
- the state of the debate and opportunities in carbon markets and eco accreditation,
- identifying and developing tools and techniques for integrated assessment and management,
- capacity building to equip regional stakeholders, Government and business to deal with the environmental, social and economic dimensions of climate change by taking a practical business systems approach.
Central to the practical outcomes of the workshop will be the hands-on demonstrations of established techniques and tools for vulnerability and adaptation assessment in relation to regional settlement patterns and infrastructure provision.
About the Facilitators
Professor Bob Miles is an Emeritus Professor and the Executive Director of Miles Consulting services specialising in climate change adaptation and sustainable region development. Bob has more than 20 years experience in research related to the sustainable use and management of Australia’s Natural Resources and held the position of the Executive Director of the internationally recognised Institute for Sustainable Regional Development (ISRD) at Central Queensland University. Bob was awarded his PhD in 1993 following extensive research into the processes of land degradation in the Mulga Lands of south west Queensland. Since then Bob has held a range of senior management positions within Queensland’s DPI. These included General Manager of the Office of Rural Communities (a whole of Government portfolio) and Regional Director for DPI. Bob is currently a Principle Consultant to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in the Asia Pacific on Climate Change and Sustainable Regional Development. Bob was Chairman of CQ A New Millennium; the regional growth management framework for Central Queensland; initiated the South West Strategy for the Mulga Lands of Western Queensland, and facilitated the establishment of the Queensland Centre for Climate Applications. Bob is a Fellow of Australian Institute Management.
Economic Development Practitioners Toolbox
Local economic development is a growing area of interest and concern for local communities and Local Government. The recent downturn in the global economy, and its impact on local economies, has increased the need to focus on the actions and activities associated with local economic development. There is now a national body dedicated to advancing the profession of local economic development as well as a post graduate course at RMIT, with plans for future tertiary qualifications. But, what do local economic development practitioners actually do? How do we spend our day?
Jay Hardison has over 12 years experience working as an economic development practitioner for Local Government. During this time he’s developed, implemented, participated in and evaluated a broad range of local economic development initiatives. The Economic Development Practitioners’ Toolbox workshop will provide participants an opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of Jay’s experience and understanding of programs, policies, actions and activities that can be put in place to support and develop a local economy.
As expected, a toolbox session will be light on theory and heavy on actions. The workshop will focus on the specifics, the context and the reality of fostering economic growth in a local economy. Expect to be entertained, be challenged, slaughter some sacred cows and walk away with a bunch of ideas and tips to help you become an instant expert in growing your local economy.
Tendering and Evaluation: testing the marketing and securing the deal
This workshop will focus on contemporary techniques required for effective procurement processes, where there is a requirement for competitive public tendering.
The following topics will be covered within the workshop:
Identifying and researching a procurement process
Knowing which business development and market research techniques are best suited to achieve the optimal outcome is harder than it otherwise may appear, yet the importance of correctly scoping the size and value of your supply is critical to securing the best deal.
Preparation of Tender Documentation
This session will raise awareness of an extensive range of model documentation accessible through a variety of Government and professional agencies. Skill development will focus on learning how to adapt this documentation so as not to “reinvent the wheel”, yet still ensure you offer an appropriate and relevant Request.
Tender, Evaluations, and Legal Relationships
The tender itself, often being a process contract, must be carefully managed, ensuring evaluation probity and involving defined ethical boundaries. Having set the process rules, any variation or change to the nature or scope of procurement can become a legal minefield. This section of the workshop focuses on how to maintain a fair but effective process, and manage changes and variations where required.
Contract negotiation techniques
Awarding a tender is when the hard work starts. Transitioning from the suppliers offer to the implementation and operation of a contract will entail business acumen well beyond the ability to conclude a negotiation and execute a contract. In particular the nature of a supplier relationship and corporate culture can greatly influence the effectiveness of contract performance.
Presenters:
Andrew Blitz – Business Development Manager, WALGA
Andrew has ten years experience as a procurement manager, including an MBA in strategic purchasing. He has been involved in some of the largest and most complex Local Government Tenders in Australia. Andrew is accredited with MCIPS and is currently vice chair of the CIPSA WA Regional Committee.
Darren Turner – Manager Business Management , WALGA
Darren has extensive experience as a purchasing manager, and contract manager for Local Government. He has developed and maintained the Local Government Purchasing and Tender Guide, and facilitates an industry Purchasing Network.