Regions have a competitive advantage in Cleantech*

Tiffany Bower and Tina Perfrement at this year’s National Cleantech Conference and Exhibition.

The future of the Australian Cleantech industry depends on the sector’s ability to connect with decision-makers and investors, have a measurable impact and drive its own sustainable growth. 

Regional areas of Australia are rapidly recognising the importance of encouraging clean technology investment, innovation and solutions to drive sustainable economic growth, minimise environmental impact and create healthier, more resilient communities.

Earlier this year, 200 industry attendees met on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland at the inaugural National Cleantech Conference and Exhibition (NCTCE) where the importance of collaboration and matching economic growth outcomes with sustainability goals was a key focus of the event.  

Delegates also discussed how Australia’s regions can have a competitive advantage in the adoption and development of Cleantech.

Tina Perfrement, a speaker from Economic Development, City of Greater Geelong commented at the event, “As a regional council looking for an opportunity to reinvent some of our industry, supporting the Cleantech sector has been a terrific path to tread.

“The benefits of (the Cleantech industry) have been very quick to yield which has been great for us. Each council will have a different journey but we are all heading in the same direction.”

Regional Australia is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this rapidly growing sector with the flexibility to nurture innovators, the ability to adapt to disruption and the scope to accommodate new projects and developments.  

2019 event hosts, the Sunshine Coast Council, state that the Cleantech sector employs almost 1500 people and contributes an estimated $228.2 million to the regional economy annually.

In 2020 NCTCE is moving to Brisbane and will be held 3-4 August.

As Australia’s ONLY multi-sector Cleantech event it provides a national platform for collaboration, learning, networking and doing business between innovators, investors, producers and commercial end-users of clean technology.  

The 2020 conference will explore the real value of clean technology beyond the environmental benefits.

Under the theme Cleantech: Fast-tracking Sustainable Growth, the program will cover all key sectors including water, energy, waste, mobility, agriculture, manufacturing and built environment.   

The conference Program Director, Tiffany Bower, has announced a Call For Speakers for the 2020 program.

Encouraging regional areas to use the conference platform to showcase their businesses, research or projects to a national audience Ms Bower said, “If you have a new solution to announce, project success to feature or company case study to share with the Australian Cleantech Industry community then this is the opportunity to share and promote it to over 300 industry stakeholders.  

“We are seeking contributions from various disciplines, skills, knowledge bases and experience – if you’ve got a story to tell about Cleantech in Australia or overseas – we want to hear about it!”

Further information about the conference and program submissions can be found at nctce.com.au

*Copy supplied by Nectar Creative Communications