USC to co-host World Environment Day fest
The likelihood of the Sunshine Coast resembling the Gold Coast within 15 years is set to be a major talking point at the Sunshine Coast’s World Environment Day festival from 9am to 4pm on Saturday 21 June.
How the region plans to cope with rapid population growth and development in the years ahead will be hot topics throughout the festival at the University of the Sunshine Coast, particularly during a special forum to be led by Mayor Bob Abbot.
The festival has been organised by the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, SEQ Catchments and the University of the Sunshine Coast and has the theme “Small footprints, big steps – our region's future”.
It will feature innovative green technologies and businesses, forums, workshops, live music and activities for children. The Mayor’s Forum will involve a panel discussion on how the Coast can become the most sustainable region in the country.
Panellists will include global warming expert Professor Ian Lowe, Lindsay Enright of the Office of Urban Management, USC’s acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill, property developer Justin Holbrook, Suzelie Connelly of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, and Mark Bachels of Parsons Brinckerhoff.
USC environmental scientist Dr Neil Tindale said it was fitting that the University was co-hosting the event as it had worked hard to engage the region in considering its future and in developing sustainable alternatives.
“The fact that the University is providing a venue and co-hosting the World Environment Day festival also demonstrates our commitment and support to this region, its environment, local businesses and the community,” he said.
Dr Tindale said the balance between future development and the environment was an important matter for everyone who lived on the Sunshine Coast.
“In 15 years, this region will probably have the same population as the Gold Coast has now,” he said. “The question is: ‘Do we want it to look like the Gold Coast?’.
“If everything continues as it is now, then it will. Decisions need to be made now on how we will look in 10-15 years from now, what infrastructure we will have and what our lifestyle will be like.”
Dr Tindale said the University would display information at the festival about many of its undergraduate and postgraduate study programs that focus on the environment and sustainability.
For more information about the World Environment Day celebrations on the Sunshine Coast, visit the Sunshine Coast Environment Council's website: www.scec.org.au.
— Terry Walsh