The seminar was held in Cairns on 1 August 2007, and continued the BCSE’s efforts to assist local councils and businesses to make informed decisions about renewable energy technologies and the deployment of energy efficiency measures.

Hosted by the BCSE and SRI Partnership and sponsored by Advance Cairns and the Cairns City Council, the seminar provided attendees with practical advice and information about the types of renewable energy technologies that could be suited to their business or regional environment, such as solar photovoltaics (PV), solar water heating systems, wind power and bioenergy.

Towns and businesses in regional Australia are ideally situated to take advantage of the many renewable fuel sources that are freely available in the natural environment, and as a byproduct of agricultural pursuits in rural areas. Many organisations outside the big cities are interested in making greater use of renewable energy in their operations but they may not know which fuel is best suited to their needs, or how to go about making the switch. This Forum in Cairns aimed to give business and municipal leaders the practical know-how and information that will enable them to make the transition to renewable energy.

Speakers included Ric Brazzale (Executive Director) and Tristan Edis (Research and Policy Manager) from the BCSE and Paul Hodgson, Director of Sustainnovation. The afternoon concluded with a roundtable discussion of the issues affecting the Northern Queensland region, and the possible actions which local councils and business could take. As a result of the seminar, a local network of interested councils and businesses is being developed.