The Nature Conservation Council Regional Conference shines a spotlight on a different region in NSW each year, empowering member groups, supporters and local communities by providing a platform to highlight the issues facing nature before a state-wide audience. 

This year the Nature Conservation Council NSW (NCC) is partnering with Thurgoona Community Action Group and the National Parks Association to present the annual 2023 NCC Regional Conference in Albury, a major regional centre on the NSW/Victoria border.

Capitalising on Charles Sturt University's sustainability campus, this year's conference offers an opportunity to explore how groups remain healthy and vibrant, build connections and be effective agents for change.

The conference theme is “Connections, Communities, and Change” and will showcase the work of experts in their fields and the initiatives of communities, businesses and organisations in the Albury Wodonga area, to realise a sustainable future in harmony with nature across rural and urban settings.  

The aims of the conference are to:

• Share and celebrate the rich environmental and cultural heritage in the Albury Wodonga region and beyond.
• Provide opportunities for connection between organisations, groups, and conference attendees and strengthen working relationships.
• Showcase local nature, climate and sustainability initiatives and “out of the box” thinking.
• Facilitate information sharing, skill development and collaborative planning to influence community practices, influence government and effect change.

Join us on Saturday for a day of workshops and panel discussions, followed by a conference dinner in the evening (please let us know if you’d like to join us) and a field trip to a selection of nearby locations on Sunday morning.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event. There will be something for everyone - no matter your level of knowledge or experience. Come and help us celebrate the NCC’s 68th year! Bring cold weather gear – Albury will be cold at the end of June.

Program: Our first program announcement is now live and available here.

Cost: $35 per person for two days. Includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on Saturday and light refreshments on Sunday. Free tickets are available for those under the age of 25 and First Nations people.

Location and travel: Charles Sturt University Campus, 386 Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona NSW 2640. See below for more information.

Accommodation: There are plenty of accommodation options available near the conference venue, see below for options.

Important: Please register before 14th June to ensure we can cater to your dietary requirements.

Conference Dinner: We have booked the Kinross Woolshed Hotel Albury for a conference dinner on Saturday evening although this is not included in the conference price. Please let us know whether you would like to join us, so that we can reserve your spot.

We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which this conference will be held and pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Price: Free to $35

USEFUL INFORMATION

Below we have included some helpful information about getting to and from Albury and accommodation options for those travelling from afar.

Getting to and from Albury and accommodation options:

Self - Drive
Located within the Sydney – Melbourne – Canberra triangle, Albury Wodonga is an easy drive from major capital cities along the Hume Freeway (m3). For delegates outside of the capital cities, the Riverina, Olympic and Murray Valley all lead to Albury Wodonga

Rail and Coach
Located just one block back from Albury’s city centre, the railway precinct acts as the city’s transport hub for rail and coach services. Wodonga station and coach stops are conveniently located near Wodonga’s city centre. NSW TrainLink and V/Line run several daily rail services, connecting Albury Wodonga to Melbourne and Sydney.

Flights
Albury Airport is conveniently located 5km from Albury’s city centre and only 10km to Wodonga’s city centre. The airport is services by Rex airlines and Qantas Link airlines with direct flights to and from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.