The APAC08 Proceedings are now available as a downloadable interactive PDF .  

The inaugural Australian Protected Areas Congress (APAC08) was held at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, Queensland from 24 - 28 November 2008.

Attendees and contributions

The total number of attendees at the Congress was 330. Australian delegates numbered 22 from ACT, 40 from NSW, 19 from the Northern Territory, 169 from Queensland, 17 from South Australia, 16 from Tasmania, 9 from Western Australia and 27 from Victoria. The international attendees included 1 from New Zealand, 1 from India, 1 from South Africa, 1 from Switzerland and 3 from Canada.

164 abstracts were submitted for review leading to an exceptional standard of presentations and discussions. Invited speakers from a variety of related disciplines and organisations shared their experiences and knowledge with the keen audience. The opening addresses included a video presentation from The Honourable Peter Garrett MP and inspiring words from The Honourable Andrew McNamara MP - Qld Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation.

The multi-organisation steering committee ensured good guidance and direction for the congress. Representatives were from:
•    Environmental Protection Agency (congress host)
•    Tourism Queensland
•    IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
•    WWF-Australia
•    University of Queensland.

The congress organising committee recognises that ownership and stewardship of protected areas has changed significantly over the past century. Accordingly, the congress encompassed protected areas of all governance types in the IUCN framework, including those managed by government, non-government, indigenous or community organisations.

Paper and poster presenters are asked to complete any changes to their extended 1500 word abstract online by 15 December 2008. If you have any difficulties or queries, please contact the congress organisers. (link)

Congress extended papers, plenary presentation summaries, symposia summaries and congress theme findings will be available as a downloadable interactive pdf document by the end of December. Delegates will also be able to purchase a hard copy of this publication by filling out the form on this web site.

APAC 2008 was hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Queensland and brought together leaders and experts in protected area management and research from across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The congress has been hailed as a great success. On behalf of EPA and the steering committee partners, I wish to thank all partners, supporters, speakers and delegates for their attendance and contribution to this event.





Ian Garven
Congress Coordinator
Environmental Protection Agency