Conference FAQ
Resources to prepare for your trip to Western Australia and the Blooming Biodiversity Conference
See the Blooming Biodiversity Conference website for up to date information on speakers, tours, accommodation and other events in the South West. New developments will be posted on www.bloomingbiodiversity.com.au as they occur.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
REGISTRATION
Registration for the conference will be on Sunday 29 September from 9.00am till 4.00pm in the University of Western Australia (UWA) Seminar Room (at the eastern end of the building). You must register on Sunday as the first day of the Conference is an In-Conference Excursion, and you will need your registration pack before joining the first excursion.
There will be a bicycle race/event near UWA on registration day. Stirling Terrace will be closed to vehicular traffic but open to foot traffic. The best access to UWA for Sunday registration is (from the Visitor Centre) by walking down York St, turn EAST along Stirling Terrace. The first intersection on the left is Spencer. There will be road traffic management assisting pedestrian cross-overs for delegates to cross over to UWA. If you are in a vehicle, park east of Spencer Street.
VENUES
University of Western Australia, Albany Campus, 35 Stirling Terrace Albany (Sunday 29th August only)
· Registration: Seminar room (eastern end of the building, look for the Wildflower Society banner). NB: Registration is required on Sunday 29 September, 9am – 4pm
· ANPSA Business Meeting: Function Room (western end of the building). Sunday 29 September 5pm – 9pm
· Note: Stirling Terrace will be closed to vehicle traffic (open to foot traffic) for a bicycle event on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September.
Stirling Club, 14 Stirling Terrace, Albany (about one block east of UWA). Sunday 29 September only, 6 – 8pm, Opening Cocktail Function
Centennial Stadium, 156 Lockyer Avenue, Albany, Western Australia.
· Conference Dinner, Thursday 3rd October 6pm
· Meeting place for In-Conference Excursions – Monday 29 September and Wednesday 2nd October, finishing between 5 and 6pm. Stirlins and Mt Barker excursions depart 8am and Porongurup excursion departs 8.30am. You must be there 15 minutes before departure. Recommended delegate parking, there are 300+ car bays. (You will need to bring your own hot water flask and cup, and a water bottle.)
Albany Entertainment Centre, 2 Toll Place, Albany (near the marina on the foreshore, and accessible from Stirling Terrace by a flyover footbridge).
· Conference presentations on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (beginning 9am): Main theatre and foyer
· A J Swaby Lecture on Tuesday 1 October, 8pm: Main theatre
Albany Visitor Centre, 221 York Street, Albany. Phone 08-6820-3700 Open daily 9am – 5pm.
· Half Day Tours depart and finish at the Visitor Centre on Sunday 29 September. Booked participants should have received pre-departure information – if not, please contact Jolanda Keeble. The Albany Highlights Tour departs at 8.30am and the Torndirrup National Park Tour leaves at 8.00am, both returning around noon.
Best Western Albany Motel, 41 Frederick St, Albany. All pre-conference tours finish here (other than the Half Day Tours). All post-conference tours start here.
St Johns Church Hall, York St, Albany (near Peels Place) – Albany Wildflower Show. 25 – 28 September, open Sunday 29 September until approx. 1pm by special arrangement.
Museum of the Great Southern, Residency Rd, Albany (near the Brig Amity) – True To Nature Art Show, 28 Sept – 4 Oct.
Maps – we recommend the ‘free map’ available at the Visitor Centre and most motels, or your internet maps for navigating around Albany. An overview map showing the relative locations of key venues is attached for planning purposes.
PARKING
- Weekend – free parking everywhere. However, the bicycle races will absorb a lot of parking in the CBD on 28/29 September so plan accordingly.
- Monday and Wednesday (for In-Conference Excursions) – Centennial Stadium
- Albany Entertainment Centre – sufficient parking at the Centre, or walk taking the flyover from Stirling Terrace.
WILDFLOWER RESOURCES
Purchase books from the Wildflower Society of WA and they will be ready for you when you register on Sunday. You can see the booklist here.
WSWA members Leslie and Mike Brooker have created a downloadable guide to wildflowers from the Albany to Eucla coastline – perfect for your tablet or laptop – and are generously sharing it with ANPSA Conference attendees. See it here.
Our Western Australian Herbarium website Florabase has records for all species in Western Australia, and is an invaluable resource. This is an ‘online’ service, not downloadable.
1. Florabase interactive search.
2. Florabase interactive keys.
QUARANTINE AND DISEASE CONTROL
Please protect our natural heritage by observing all quarantine requirements. Interstate quarantine requirements can be found here. This document gives details on what you can bring to and from Western Australia from every other state and territory.
Western Australia is vulnerable to myrtle rust so if you are travelling from an affected area please ensure that your vehicle, equipment and clothing are thoroughly cleaned. This is a very serious issue and we ask all Conference participants to make sure they comply. More information here.
Phytophthora dieback disease in Western Australia has been catastrophic for ecosystems in the south-west. As many as 2,000 of the estimated 9,000 native plant species in the south-west are susceptible to dieback disease. It is spread through infected soil and mud, especially by vehicles and footwear, as well as other means. It is very important to keep shoes clean, avoid muddy areas and keep to tracks and roads. More info here.
WHAT TO BRING
Weather in Albany can be changeable. The historical statistics show an average high of 17/18 and low of 9/10 in September/October, but with about 10 days of rainfall per month and a monthly average rainfall of 90mm, it might be best to bring rain gear. And with historical maxima from 10 to 30 during September/October, you can never be completely sure. Here is a list of suggested items:
· Hot water flask for morning tea (needed for the in-conference excursions)
· Re-usable cup/mug (needed for the in-conference excursions)
· Re-usable water bottle (needed for the in-conference excursions)
· Travel insurance
· Layers of clothing for cold mornings and warm days
· Comfortable long-sleeved and short-sleeved (tee-) shirt/blouse
· Long and short trousers
· A warm hat for cold mornings/evenings
· A sun hat or cap
· A wind proof / water proof jacket and a jumper, Umbrella
· Good walking shoes – suitable for brushing or spray/bath sterilisation in some bush areas
· Sun glasses, Fly net, Sun screen, Insect repellent
· A day pack for carrying items such as camera, binoculars water bottle, hot water flask and drinking mug, mobile phone
· Photographic equipment and charger, Binoculars
· Spare memory cards, batteries
· Alarm clock / mobile phone / mobile phone charger
· Reliable torch or head-torch
· Walking stick if you use one
· Those who have registered for pre-and post-conference tours need to check their pre-departure information for further requirements (eg, emergency medical information)
EATING OUT
It is highly recommended that you book a restaurant if you intend to go out for a meal after the Cocktail Function or the in-conference excursions. (Please note that the Cocktail Function will serve light finger food only and runs from 6pm to 8pm.) As with many country towns, there are limited eating venues and they quickly book out.
For full information on the Blooming Biodiversity Conference please visit our website www.bloomingbiodiversity.com.au