Media Releases
World Technopolis Association Secretary General Visits the Gladstone Region
27th July, 2006
Gladstone City Mayor Peter Corones is looking forward to welcoming delegates from the World Technopolis Association (WTA) to Gladstone this week as part of a post conference tour offered to participants at the 5th WTA General Assembly hosted by Brisbane City Council from 26-28th July 2006.
The theme of the Assembly is Smart Cities Ensure Smart Futures and it is the first time the WTA event has been held in the southern hemisphere.
Cr Corones said that the Gladstone Region is one of 51 member cities and regions in 19 countries that are part of the WTA. The purpose of the association is to foster sustainable urban and regional development through sharing information and taking advantage of the advancement of science and technology.
"We see Gladstone's participation in the WTA as an opportunity to share best practice with a number of like-minded cities and regions and be able to showcase our own region, our industry, our communities and our science and technology capabilities." Cr Corones said.
Cr Corones noted that the Gladstone Region was honoured to be hosting Dr Deog-Seong Oh, WTA Secretary General and Professor Byung-Joo Kang, Chairman, WTA Advisory Council both from Daejeon, Korea.
The international delegates visiting the Gladstone Region will be hosted by the Mayors of Gladstone City and Calliope Shire and the Central Queensland University (CQU). They will see local industry, tour the CQU Gladstone Campus visiting the Centre for Environmental Management and the Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) Centre. Comalcao Aluminium will provide the delegates with a briefing on sustainable development and the Comalco/Great Barrier Reef Future Reef Project. The delegates will have an opportunity to see the reef first hand with a stay on Heron Island and a visit to the University of Queensland's world class research station.
Cr Corones and Dr Ken King, Chief Executive of the Gladstone Economic & Industry Development Board will be attending the WTA Assembly in Brisbane and will give a presentation about Gladstone Region smart projects to more than 200 conference delegates. The presentation will highlight the successful Calliope Shire Millennium Esplanade/Canoe Point redevelopment, Gladstone City's CBD/Waterfront redevelopment and local industry best practice by companies such as Queensland Alumina Limited, the Gladstone Power Station, Comalco Aluminium, Orica Australia Pty Ltd, the Central Queensland Ports Authority and Cement Australia.
Dr King said that Gladstone Region's WTA membership provides a platform for policy makers to consider the region's future and planning in a global context.
"We are competing in a global marketplace and it is essential that Gladstone looks to the future and draws on the innovative and technical advances being made world-wide."
Membership of the WTA ensures that government, academia, development agencies, research institutes and industry can pool their knowledge and link into mutually beneficial projects for a smarter future," Dr King said.
Mayor Corones added that the Gladstone Region has developed from a reliance on a single industry into a thriving world class export hub where sustainable development, innovation and progress work hand-in-hand with lifestyle and community values.
"Community and industry engagement within the region has lead to a number of best practice environmental and industry outcomes including effluent reuse, industry on-site environmental and technology improvements, waste recycling, air quality monitoring, tree revegetation, open space planning and community programs," said Cr Corones.
Cr Corones said "We are proud to have had the opportunity to invite WTA delegates to view progress in the Gladstone Region as a Smart Region of the Future in the Smart State of Queensland."
"We welcome the opportunity to share technology and science advances with our international colleagues and work towards smarter regional development and future planning." Cr Corones said.
Ends
27 July 2006
Media Conference - 9am on Saturday 29 August 2006
Central Queensland University Gladstone Campus, Leo Zussino Building, Gladstone Engineering Centre.
Media Contacts:
Dr Ken King Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board
Level 3, 72 Goondoon St
Tel: 07 49712318 or 0407 140 813 Email: ken.king@gladstoneindustry.org.au
Cr Peter Corones
Chief Executive Mayor, Gladstone City Council
Gladstone Civic Centre, 101 Goondoon Street
Tel: 07 4970 0701 or 0419 762 377 Email: execoffice@gcc.qld.gov.au
