THE region’s growing reputation as a conference centre has resulted in a mini economic windfall heading Bathurst’s way.
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The region is set to host the annual Planning Institute of Australia (NSW) conference from September 1-3.
The conference will see more than 150 delegates converge on the city with various functions, events and meetings planned, injecting an estimated $250,000 into the local economy.
The new Citigate Resort will be the major venue for the event, which is being billed as “The Race to Good Planning – Mount Panorama 2010”.
Former NSW Premier Bob Carr will deliver the opening address while the keynote speaker will be NSW Minister for Planning Tony Kelly.
NSW President of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Tony McNamara and state manager Robyn Vincin were in Bathurst last week helping organise the event.
Previous conferences have been held in Newcastle and Bowral.
Mr McNamara, who is the director of planning and environment at the Canada Bay Council in Sydney, said Bathurst was selected because it is central, has all the facilities needed to host this type of conference, as well as the iconic Mount Panorama.
“We will discuss key regional and metropolitan planning issues as well as things like food security and agriculture,” he said.
Mr McNamara noted that Bathurst is based on an old, but very flexible grid-type plan which is making a comeback.
He said the 2010 conference theme reflects the venue at the famous Mount Panorama circuit “by providing an opportunity to restart our engines”.
“The conference will showcase Bathurst and the central west,” Mr McNamara said.
“The aim is to both inform and refresh the thinking on planning practice and ask the question of whether or not planning in NSW is a tortoise or a hare.
“With the pressures being placed upon it, how will planning perform and progress? This issue will be discussed as well as other challenges to the profession.”
