The seventh annual Bioenergy Australia Conference is to be held from December 5 to 8 at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle. This year’s theme is ‘A growth opportunity for energy and the environment’. Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance will open the conference, which will bring together biomass feedstock producers and suppliers, waste management organisations, project developers, energy companies, investors, government agencies and research funding bodies to address important factors in the development of bioenergy in Australia. Guest speakers and panellists for the panel sessions to be conducted on December 6 and 7 include: Professor Jack Saddler, dean of forestry at the University of British Columbia (Canada); David Rossiter – regulator, Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator; Denis Smedley from the Australian Greenhouse Office; Vikas Ahuja from Sustainability Victoria; Brendan George, NSW Department of Primary Industries; Don Harrison – renewable energy scientist, Verve Energy; Darryl Butcher – managing director, Australian Renewable Fuels; Peter Anderton – chairman & CEO, Australian Ethanol Ltd; David Ridley, Forestry Tasmania; and Professor David Panell from the University of WA. Optional site tours will commence on December 5 and 8. The first site tour, led by CALM’s John Bartle, will take attendees to various places including the Narrogin Integrated Wood Processing Plant. The second site tour will stop at places such as the Woodman Point Biodigesters, Australian Renewable Fuels and the SIMCOA Charcoaling Plant. Registration for the conference sessions alone costs $825 for members and $1,025 for non members, with one day only registration also available. Site tours costs an additional $120 per day. For more information contact Bioenergy Australia on (02) 9437 9333 or email emma@conferenceaction.com.au.