International Plant Protection Convention
Local information
04_EWG_Grain_2016_Sep
Agenda item: 02
LOCAL INFORMATION
EXPERT WORKING GROUP MEETING ON
INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT OF GRAIN (2008-007)
19-23 September 2016
Melbourne, Australia
(Updated: 2016-06-22)
The meeting
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) meeting of the Expert Working Group (EWG) on
the International movement of grain (2008-007) will take place from 19 to 23 September 2016 in
Melbourne, Australia. This meeting will be hosted and organised by the Department of Agriculture and
Water Resources (DAWR), Australia's NPPO.
Location and hotel booking
The meeting will take place at the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne (http://radissonflagstaffgardens.h-rez.com/index.htm?lbl=ggl-en&gclid=CPPwmJ2-7csCFc0y0wodcq4N-A) situated
in Melbourne.
The stay in Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne has been pre-booked for the participants from
18th September to 24th September (standard single rooms). The hotel price is 118 euros per person per
day (including breakfast). The participants should pay the hotel directly at check-out. Please note that
this price is especially for this meeting. Wi-Fi Internet is available to all our guests during the duration
of stay free of charge.
Please send your confirmation to [email protected] no later than 12 August 2016 so that we can
process your booking. The confirmation should be accompanied by the following credit card
information to guarantee the booking:
 Name on the credit card
 Card number
 Expiration date
 Credit card type
If you are uncomfortable with providing the credit card information by e-mail to us, please contact
directly (and let us know you directly confirmed the booking with her):
Ms Ginevra Mannini | Operation CWT Meeting & Events
Phone +39 (0)55 09491 886 | fax +39 (0)55-9067050
[email protected]
IMPORTANT: Please note that, according to the hotel cancellation policy, 100% penalty will be
applied for cancellation after 3 September 2016.
Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne
380 William Street,
Melbourne, 3000,
Australia
US: 888-205-7322
UK: 0808 145-3778
EU: +1 469-610-3608
http://www.radisson.com/
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Local Information
http://radisson-flagstaffgardens.h-rez.com/index.htm?lbl=ggl-en&gclid=CPPwmJ27csCFc0y0wodcq4N-A
The meeting starts on Monday 19 September at 10:00am. The daily schedule is 09:00-12:30 and 13:3017:00. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided during the morning and afternoon breaks; lunch will
be offered from Monday to Friday.
The meeting dress code is casual. See section “Weather and what to pack” for more information on what
to pack.
A field trip to a grain export facility in the Melbourne area is being planned to occur on Wednesday, 21
September. Further details will be announced during the meeting. Please bring appropriate clothing and
shoes for this visit (e.g. hat, jacket and walking shoes).
Arrival and transfer to Hotel
Please send your flight information and other travel plans to Mr Bruce Hancocks
([email protected]) and Mr Paul Howard ([email protected]).
Transportation to the Hotel from Airport
The best option is to take the red shuttle SkyBus from the Airport to the hotel. The shuttle bus is located
at the arrivals terminal and is easily identifiable while it runs 24hrs a day every 10 mins. The cost is $18
per person one way. You can directly inform the driver that you wish to be dropped off at the Radisson
on Flagstaff Gardens and this comes at no extra charge.
Visa requirements
Unless you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you will need a visa to enter Australia. New
Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders
must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of visas, including tourist visas
and working holiday visas, at your nearest Australian Consulate. You can also apply for certain types
of visas online.
There are important things you should know before applying for, or being granted, an Australian visa.
These include applying for the right type of visa, application requirements, your obligations while in
Australia and the importance of complying with visa conditions.
For more detailed information visit the Australian Government Department of Immigration and
Citizenship website http://www.immi.gov.au.
Local contacts
Organiser
Mr Bruce Hancocks
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
GPO Box 858
Canberra, Australia
Telephone: +61 2 62723826
Email: [email protected]
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/
Host (Australian NPPO)
Dr Bart Rossel
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
GPO Box 858
Canberra, Australia
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Telephone: +61 2 62725056
Email: [email protected]
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/
Currency and banking
Australia's currency is the Australian Dollar (currency code: AUD).
At Melbourne Airport, you can purchase or exchange over 50 major and exotic foreign currencies at
one of the seven Travelex Stores.
Australian dollars can be obtained at any Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) located throughout the
major cities. Please contact your bank for more information before departure.
Hotel costs can be paid with major credit cards (American Express, MasterCard, or Visa).
The most popular Australian Dollar exchange rate is the AUD to USD rate. An average rate is indicated
below (As at 5 May 2016) but rates are constantly changing so you are recommended to check rates for
yourself closer to the time of the workshop.
1 AUS = 0.74 USD
1 USD = 1.36 AUS
Language
The official language of Australia is English.
Time zone, weather and what to pack
Melbourne is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
Springtime arrives in Melbourne in September, and not only does it see the signs of green leaves and
flowers growing in the countryside, it sees the climate start to pick up. However, Melbourne is notorious
for its variable weather. It can be cold and frosty on one day and be sunny and hot the very next. The
average maximum and minimum temperature range for Melbourne in September is from 17 - 8°C. It is
worth bringing an umbrella as Melbourne receives an average 58mm rain for the month.
Participants should consider bringing a mixture of clothing suitable for spring weather. Formal clothing,
such as business suits, is not required and the meeting and hotel rooms are air-conditioned or heated.
Also, remember to bring electrical plug adapters for computers and any personal appliances.
Electricity
Electricity is supplied throughout Australia at 230/240 volts, 50 hertz. Most hotels and motels provide
110 volt ac sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an
adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option.
Please note that power outlets only accept flat three or two pin plugs, depending on whether an earth
connection is fitted.
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Tipping
Tipping is not required in Australia, though is usually provided with good service.
Water
Australia tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available.
Medical Insurance
The organisers are not responsible for individual medical, travel, or personal insurance. All participants
are strongly advised to purchase their own personal travel insurance before coming to Australia.
Remember to bring your insurance policy details and emergency contact numbers and with you.
Australia's public health care system is called Medicare and Australian hospitals provide world-class
medical facilities and standards of care. The Australian Government has reciprocal healthcare
agreements with some countries for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia, however it
is best to check your eligibility before you leave home and have appropriate travel insurance to cover
your stay in Australia.
Medicine brought into Australia for personal use is subject to controls and must be declared on your
arrival. It is recommended you bring a prescription or letter from your doctor outlining your medical
condition and the medicine you are carrying. If you need to obtain prescription medicine while you are
here, the prescription must be written by a doctor in Australia.
Health & Hygiene Conditions (including Vaccinations)
The Australian sun is very strong and can burn your skin in as little as 15 minutes in summer, so it is
important to protect yourself all year round, even if it is a cloudy day.
The Australian Government has invested a lot of time and effort over the past few decades educating
Australians about protecting themselves from too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the
sun, the major cause of skin cancer; the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
While travelling in Australia, be 'sun smart' and protect yourself against sun damage by wearing clothes
that cover as much of your skin as possible, even when swimming; applying a high-level water resistant
sunscreen regularly; wearing a hat and sunglasses that provide good protection for the face, nose, neck,
ears and eyes; and sitting in the shade rather than directly in the sun.
Extra care should be taken in the middle of the day when UV radiation is most intense, and make sure
you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
The Australian Government’s SunSmart UV Alert will tell you the time period when you need to be
most careful and appears on the weather page of most daily newspapers and on the Bureau of
Meteorology website.
No special immunizations or vaccinations are required to visit Australia unless you have come from, or
have visited a yellow fever infected country within six days of your arrival. However, regulations and
medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the relevant Australian
Government websites before you leave home.
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Security in Public Places
Australia is generally a safe destination with travellers enjoying unhindered travel experiences in terms
of their personal safety and security. Our stable political system, well-maintained roads, low crime rate
and high standard of health make it a safe and easy country to explore.
With common-sense, you can safely enjoy Australia's unique landscapes - from the vast outback to wild
ocean beaches and pristine wilderness. However, as with all travel at home or away, you should observe
the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions.
Tourist Information
Information about tourism can be found on the Australian government website
http://www.australia.com/en
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