Key dates

Call for abstracts opens
13 February 2019

Sponsorship & Exhibition opportunities – pre-sale to 2018 supporters opens
15 February 2019

Sponsorship & Exhibition opportunities opens
22 February 2019

Call for abstracts closes
1 May 2019 - Extended until 9 May 2019

Program launch and early bird registration opens
17 June 2019

Early bird registration closes
28 August 2019

Late registration
from 9 October 2019

Pre-conference workshops
Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 October 2019

Post-conference tours
Friday 1 November 2019

Enquiries

Association Professionals

Conference Managers

PO Box 7345
Beaumaris VIC 3193
conference@absanz.org.au
P: +61 3 9586 6033

Post-Conference Tours

All post-Conference tours are held on Friday 1 November 2019

Tour 1: Australian Animal Health Laboratory – CSIRO (FULL)

CSIRO helps protect Australia’s multi-billion-dollar livestock and aquaculture industries, and the general public, from emerging infectious disease threats. We play a vital role in maintaining the health of Australia's animals, the international competitiveness of Australian agriculture and trade, the well-being of Australians and the quality of our environment. The Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) plays a central role in this space.

AAHL is Australia’s largest high-containment microbiology facility, designed to allow scientific research into the most dangerous infectious agents in the world. With PC2, PC3 and PC4 facilities AAHL has appropriate space to safely handle any microorganism it may be directed to. A guiding principle in the complex design of the AAHL facility was that biocontainment should never rely on a single barrier.  If one containment system or barrier fails, then at least one other barrier is in place to prevent a breach of the system.  As a result, AAHL is regarded as one of the world’s most sophisticated laboratories for the safe handling and containment of animal diseases, the design principles and implementation continue to contribute to the design of facilities across the globe. 

The location of AAHL in East Geelong was originally chosen based on a number of factors including the position of the site – conveniently surrounded by water and parkland on three sides and set well-back from the road, with relatively easy access to Melbourne yet close to a population centre from which a work force could be derived. Originally costing over $160 million to build, AAHL’s construction required more than 600 concrete piles, 42000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete, 2300 pre-cast concrete wall panels, 520 air-lock doors, 62 air-handling systems and 1000 high-efficiency air filters. To replace AAHL today would cost more than $1.2 billion. 

The tour will provide you with an opportunity to visit this complex facility including the high containment area to view our PC3 and PC4 Laboratories and the engineering features that provide for the buildings biocontainment strategy. The tour will encompass air handling, air filtration, laboratory suites, liquid waste collection and bulk effluent treatment. 

The facility employees approximately 250 scientific, engineering and support staff. The Biorisk Management Group comprises 13 positions with responsibilities for aspects of AAHL including regulatory compliance, validation and maintenance of biological safety cabinets and HEPA filters, autoclave validation and biosafety working practice. Many of these staff will be your tour guides or otherwise accessible on the day to try and answer your questions. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk directly with representatives from the on-site engineering group.

Target audience: Science, engineers

Schedule

Entry into AAHL is subject to approval by CSIRO. In the instance that access is not granted, a full refund will be issued. Notification will be given in the weeks prior to the tour.

Please read this essential information for visitors. All registered participants will be provided with a form to provide clothing requirements closer to the time.

Tour 2: BioQuisitive

BioQuisitive is an open community laboratory. We're a safe environment for people from all walks of life to come and learn about biology, life sciences and get involved in workshops, classes and projects! By democratising access to practical experience in the life sciences, we aim to be a valuable resource for community education.

Find out more here.

Target audience: Anyone interested in how science and biosafety can be researched in a community environment.

Schedule

Tour 3: Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility

Construction of the new Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria has been completed. Australia’s post entry quarantine operations have been consolidated, and all imported animals and plants now complete their post entry quarantine at the new facility.

The 144-hectare site at Mickleham in Victoria is more than four times the size of the previous largest facility and modernises our practices.

The cat compound contains 240 cat pens, each pen contains in floor and ambient heating, an elevated resting platform and a window overlooking outdoor courtyards. Additionally, the compound contains veterinary examination rooms, food prep areas and grooming rooms.

The dog compound contains 400 dog kennels, each kennel includes in floor heating and outdoor area. The compound also includes veterinary examination rooms, food prep areas, grooming rooms and grass exercise yards.

The 2 horse compounds each contain 40 stables over 2 stable blocks, 24 turnout yards, 1 large paddock, a horse walker, horse wash and scales, feed prep areas, veterinary exam areas and a full horse surgery including recovery room and isolation stable.

The plant compound 2000 square metres of greenhouse space and 1200 square metre shade house, a modern diagnostic laboratory, tissue culture growing area and dedicated PC3 lab and growth room for managing diseased plants.

The bee compound contains 6 flight rooms (2 hives in each), a sampling room and grafting space. 

The ruminant compound contains 6 paddock, holding up to 300 alpacas/llamas and an indoor holding facility. The ruminant compound also includes a feed storage area, dedicated office space and shower facilities.

The avian compound has been built to Physical Containment level 3 (PC3) and contain 3 units for hatching eggs 19200 eggs per unit (4200kg bird weight) and 2 live bird units holding 150 birds each. The Avian compound is currently undergoing testing (operational commissioning).

The facility also contains:

• a high level of security including secure fencing, a night security service, and CCTV cameras

• additional space for future growth, if required

• public zones where visitors and deliveries can be received without compromising quarantine.

Target audience: Science, engineers, architects

Preliminary Schedule

Please ensure you wear closed toe comfortable walking shoes and a warm jacket, as the site can be very windy.