The following programme is current as at 26 April 2012, however is subject to change.
Please note the earlier start time of 0830 on Thursday.
The abstracts can be viewed by clicking here. Please reference papers to schedule below.

Technical Tours - Friday 22 June
The technical tours are included with your registration fee and limited to one coach per tour, so book early to ensure you get your preferred tour. Tour 1 departs at 12.15pm with a packed lunch - other tours depart at 12.45pm from Rotorua Energy Events Centre after lunch.

TOUR 1: 1215 Energize the Dream. From Hot Water to Cool Lighting - Geothermal power Please bring your own high viz vest and hard hat - we will provide earplugs & safety glasses
Might River Power constructed the 100 MW geothermal power station at Kawerau in August 2008 at a cost of $300 million. This significantly increased generation capacity in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, meeting about one-third of residential and industrial demand in the region.

During the drive from Rotorua to Kawerau, staff from GNS Science (based at the Wairakei Research Centre) will provide commentary on the geothermal resources of the region.

Following the tour of the power station, there will be a break for afternoon tea and after that a presentation on the Kawerau Industrial Symbiosis Project, aimed to maximise the benefits of the natural resources and existing infrastructure within the district.

TOUR 2: 1245 Dare to Dream - Lake water quality - Waste - Wastewater
Sponsored by BECA Please bring your own high viz vest

Waste2Gold
A pilot plant facility has been constructed at the Rotorua wastewater treatment plant as part of the Waste to Gold Project. It will be used to conduct extensive trials to allow the process design to be refined, and techno-economics to be fully evaluated.

MBR Upgrade (First large scale MBR sewage plant in NZ)
The latest upgrade will provide for additional capacity to allow growth for the next 20 years within the existing catchment and for the connection of new communities. It involves the construction of a Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR plant) which will run in parallel as a side stream to the existing Bardenpho plant.

Floating Wetland
This is a major environmental enhancement project to help restore the lake's water quality. Technology used in construction of the floating wetland involves the recycling of plastic soft drink bottles transformed into an expansive floating fibre mat. To maximise effectiveness, it needs to have 'cut out' areas within the island. This project is expected to capture attention worldwide as an innovative environmental improvement measure and we anticipate it will also become an intriguing addition to our region's diverse tourism product.

TOUR 3: 1245 Pedal Power - Whakarewarewa Forest - Mountainbiking
Sponsored by DOWNER
(This tour will cater for beginners through to experienced bikers)

Whakarewarewa Forest contains some of the oldest mountain trails in New Zealand, and has become one of the most popular mountain biking areas in New Zealand.

Participants of this biking tour will view various parts of the old water supply and the Spray Irrigation System, and will visit the Red Stag Timber Mill to view the latest developments and upgraded facilities. Afternoon tea will be provided on the move and the tour will finish at the Spray Irrigation Ponds on Katore Road.

Whakarewarewa Forest contains the Hemo and Waipa Springs. Hemo Springs was once used as the water supply for Rotorua City and is now the main water supply for the Red Stag Tinmber Mill. Waipa Spring still provides water to the eastern parts of Rotorua City. In 1991, a Land Based Effluent Disposal System was establised for Rotorua City. The Spray Irrigation System extends over approximately 400 ha within Whakarewarewa Forest and includes a pumped system from the Wastewater Treatment Plant to storage ponds within the forest and feed the spray irrigation system.

TOUR 4:1245 Linking the Dreams - Transport
Sponsored by BECA Please bring your own high viz vest and hard hat

Travel to Tauranga via State Highway 36 passing the recent works in Mangorewa Gorge where a rockfall recently made headlines. The tour enters Tauranga via the recently completed road link passing through the "Lakes" development, the inner city toll road, and recently completed harbour link, second harbour crossing and on to the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) - currently under construction. After spending time on site , the return trip will be via SH33.

The importance of the tour is to witness the outcome of a coordinated effort between Tauranga City Council (TCC), Western Bay of Plenty Council (WBoPDC), Transzit NZ, EBoP and the transport group (Access). SmartGrowth (SG) was formed to give direction on transport issues and ensure co-ordination between the organisations for the development of the major roading projects in the sub region.