1. Do I have to be a health professional to attend?
You do not have to be employed as a health professional to attend this Conference. Of course, if you do not have current experience and knowledge in a health profession some of the clinical and specialist content may be outside your knowledge base. However, the purpose of the Conference is to raise awareness across a broad range of the community concerned about public health. We believe, therefore, that many community members will benefit by hearing from experts. Attendance at this Conference will provide attendees with information about the terminology, and issues, related to coal seam gas and public health that they can then build upon.
2. What is the cost of attending the CSG and Public Health Conference?
For $85 full event registration you will attend all of the expert speaker presentations commencing at 2PM (registration commencing at 1PM), including tea/coffee on arrival, afternoon tea, and dinner. The full registration also includes attendance at an evening Open Forum and Panel Discussion which will enable more in-depth Q & A with the experts.
The Afternoon Sessions-only charge is $50, which includes tea/coffee on arrival and afternoon tea. This concludes at 6PM.
All attendees will receive access to a reading list of key background materials.
3. Is there a concession price for low income registrants?
We are aware that the cost of transport to Narrabri, plus accommodation and the lost income of a day off work (for those not representing their employer), will not be easily affordable to all health professionals who wish to attend. However, the registration price reflects the cost of running the event and this is a not for profit initiative. Therefore we can not offer a concession. Nevertheless, if you would like to attend and cost is prohibitive please call our event information line on 0416 077 753 and let us know, if there are any seats available we will be offering them for the cost of the dinner at The Crossing Theatre. We will keep in touch with you if this is looking likely.
4. Is there a concession price for groups?
If an organisation registers more than one person to attend, as with Q.2 above, we can put you on a list for reduced entry if the conference is not fully subscribed.
5. What kind of accommodation is available in Narrabri?
There are several accommodation options in Narrabri to suit people’s budget, desire for privacy and interest in meeting members of the local community. There are two motels which we recommend. If you are planning to book with them please let them know that you are attending the CSG and Public Health Conference.
Club Motor Inn 115-117 Barwan St, Narrabri, 02 6792 3191, $130 single room rate or $145 double room rate.
Southern Cross Motel 24 Maitland St, Narrabri, 02 6792 3838, $110 Double (1 x Q bed only) or ) $125 Twin (1 x Q and 1 x single bed).
Note that the Club Motor Inn is very close to The Crossing Theatre, Woolworths, petrol station and shops.
Billeting is also an option. Please call our Event Information line if you would like to discuss the possibility of staying with a local family.
6. What is the recommended transport to Narrabri
Apart from private car, the other options are train or plane to Narrabri.
A Sydney-Narrabri service is offered by Fly Corporate 1300 851 269 or the other alternative is to fly from Sydney to Moree and hire a car to drive to Narrabri. QANTAS and Virgin both fly to Moree.
7. Will I receive the conference papers after the event?
Yes. We will also send you a recommended reading list of important sources relevant to the conference topics.
8. What other scenic destinations or points of interest are recommended for visitors to the area?
If you have a car, a drive one hour south to the Pilliga Forest eco-retreat, the Pilliga Pottery, is highly recommended. The Pottery is a well-known creative hub and has a variety of accommodation allowing you to enjoy bushwalks, or just relax. The café and restaurant offers organic food, some of it produced on the very property itself. On the way, you might stop to visit the Pilliga “Sculptures in the Scrub” and walking track.
To the east of Narrabri capping the Nandewar Ranges is Mt Kaputar. Nearby is the awesome Sawn Rocks.
If you are environmentalist, you might wish to visit the Leard State Forest just 40 minutes drive from Narrabri, to view for yourself the coal mine destruction of this Critically Endangered woodland. Please let the organisers know if you wish to know more about this, especially if you have a special interest in the health impacts of living near a coal field.
For more information, we suggest that you contact the Narrabri Tourism office on: http://www.visitnarrabri.com.au