IEA SHC - 82th ExCo Meeting and IEA PVPS 50th ExCo Meeting

November 28-December 1, 2017 - Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

 Melbourne Skyline

The 82nd IEA SHC Executive Committee Meeting will be held at Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Melbourne, Australia, and hosted by the Australian Photovoltaic Institute. The APVI is a member based organisation delivering projects and programs to support the increased development and use of PV via research, analysis and information. The APVI leads Australia’s participation in the IEA PV Power Systems and Solar Heating and Cooling Programmes and is pleased to host the 82nd IEA SHC ExCo meeting and the 50th IEA PVPS ExCo meeting.

Please find attached an Information Sheet that includes information about destination airport, transport, hotels and more. Please complete your registration form online by October 14, 2017.

I would also like to draw your attention to our annual research conference the following week; from December 5-7, 2017. Details can be found here. Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference. (APSRC), which may be of interest for you.

Schedule at a Glance

Date Morning Afternoon Evening
Tuesday 28 November Walking tour around the city of Melbourne Cost: $40 payable to the guide Technical tour of renewable energy sites around Melbourne  
Wednesday 29 November PVPS - Management group
SHC – Strategic Planning workshop
ExCo meetings start Welcome to Melbourne cocktail function (TBC)
Thursday 30 November 9:00 to 17:00 ExCo meetings ExCo Dinner
Friday 1 December 9:00 to 17:00 ExCo meetings  

Meeting Venue

The meeting will be held at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre in Brunswick about 4-5 km north of the city. 306 Albert Street, Brunswick, Victoria 3056

Hotel Accomodation Options

There are many hotels in the city and tram or train to the meeting venue (approx. 4km) is a good option if you wish to stay there.

The Vibe Hotel about 2km from the meeting venue. (a walk, or tram ride). It’s the closest reasonable hotel, we have asked that 30 rooms be held (unfortunately, the Vibe have advised that there is not availability on November 27 – it is still a good choice of arriving after that date). Vibe Hotel. 441 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052 Phone: (03) 9380 9222

The hotel has created a link for us, at $115 per room, plus guests can add a discounted breakfast of $15 per person. You can use this link: Book Now. Or head to TFEhotels directly (TFEhotels.com) and use this promo code: TH9615874. Please note there is a slightly cheaper rate listed when they use this link, but it is a pre-paid, non-refundable offer. Whereas our rate provides flexibility and payment on arrival. So be aware of this when booking to avoid the “earlybird offer”

Other hotels

Travel Information

Given that most will have travelled a long way you may prefer to take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. It will cost $60-$70.

Public transport

Trains and trams require you to purchase a Myki card before you can ride. Buy in advance at newsagents and most corner stores and put some credit onto the card (https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki/) . It can be topped up as required. There is very good coverage by public transport in the areas where we will be meeting.

Bicycle hire (you need to wear a helmet)

Share Bikes

  • Melbourne bike share
    MBS has docks in the city but not out of the central area, so probably not a good option to get to the meeting. These are public bikes and have 3 speed gears.

Rental Bikes

If you want a more traditional bike for a longer time then try www.rentabike.net.au

Online Meeting Registration

Contact

For any further questions, contact; 

What you should see around Melbourne

Melbourne Zoo 
Melbourne Zoo is nearby to the meeting venue and the Vibe hotel (1 km from the hotel approx. 3km from the City).   

Fairy Penquins
Many people wish to see the Fairy Penguins that come in to nest in burrows in the evening. Phillip Island is the best place to see them but it is a long trip. However, there is a colony at St Kilda pier about 5 km south of the City and you should be able to see them at sunset most nights.

Healesville Sanctuary
The Healesville Sanctuary is About 65 km East of the city. Lots of Australian animals in a park setting.

Great Ocean Road
A two to three day option would be to go south-west from Melbourne to see the coastline including Bells Beach the home of Australian Surfing (Be careful if swimming as it is easy to get into difficulty)

Grampians National Park
Then go on to the Grampians National Park. At the Grampians you can see kangaroos in the wild at places like Zumsteins or at Halls Gap especially if you stay overnight in the accommodation around the Halls Gap area.  There are good day walks around the area too.

Wilsons Promontory National Park
A great two to three day or more option is Wilsons Promontaory National Park. The southernmost part of mainland Australia. Good walking and remote beaches.

What you could see if you have more time

Great Barrier Reef. See it while you can. It’s about 4 hours flight to North Queensland (Or a 3,000 km drive, further than from Stockholm to Barcelona!)

Tasmania. Off the south coast of Australia. A quiet and relaxing place. Great bushwalking and food. Take a ferry or a flight from Melbourne.

Uluru in Central Australia. It will be hot in December.

All the other Major Australian cities have their own character so are worth a visit. But Melbourne has the Best Coffee and its own unique style of football known as AFL.