Nature Conservation Council NSW Regional Conference 2025 - Central West NSW

Each year, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) hosts a conference in regional NSW to bring together member groups, supporters and community members from across the state to connect, learn and act on issues affecting nature. 

In 2025, NCC is partnering with environment groups across the Central West to present this year's Regional Conference in Blayney. This year’s theme is Lifeblood: connections of rivers, Country and community.   

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Our co-hosts: Blayney Wiradyuri Elders • Belubula Headwaters Protection Group  • Blayney Eco Hub • Lithgow Environment Group • Cadia Community Sustainability Network • Mid Lachlan Landcare • Knitting Nannas Central West • Mudgee Coal Alert • Mudgee Region Action Group • Inland Rivers • Central West Environment Council • Bathurst Community Climate Action Group • Parents for Climate Action, Bathurst • Eugowra Catchment Landcare • Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Laudato Si’ Group 

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Join us Saturday 14th June for a full day of workshops and panel discussions, followed by an evening conference dinner. On Sunday morning 15th June, we’ll get out and about with local guides facilitating a field trip, finishing back in Blayney for lunch. 

What to expect

• A powerful Welcome to Country with Wiradyuri Elder and artist Aunty Nyree Reynolds

• Fast-paced lightning talks from local groups working on land, water and climate

• Keynote speeches and panel discussion on mining, water, and resistance with Lisa Paton, Bev Smiles, Janet Walk and Frances Retallack

• Workshops on river health, biodiversity, community organising and creative activism

• The Premiere screening of a powerful new documentary on Wollar - a community that has spent over 2 decades resisting the impacts of mining

• A Sunday field trip to cultural and ecological sites, including Cadia Mine, the Belubula headwaters, and a long-established permaculture property in Newbridge

Download the summary program

Everyone is welcome to attend this event. There will be something for everyone – no matter your level of knowledge or experience. 

Details

When: Saturday 14th Sunday (full day) 15th June (half-day field trip) 
Where: Blayney Shire Community Centre, NSW, 2799 
Cost: $50 waged / $35 unwaged – includes Saturday morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and Sunday morning tea. Free tickets available for First Nations people and U25s. If you're earning a regular income, please choose the waged ticket. 

If you're unwaged or on a low income, the unwaged ticket is for you – no questions asked. 

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🚌 Public Transport to Blayney

Train
Blayney Station has the 427 and 428 train routes running between Sydney Central Station to Dubbo which runs daily both ways. Blayney Station is 6 minutes’ walk to the conference venue and downtown Blayney.

Bus
There are bus routes that run between Grenfell and Bathurst, Grenfell and Lithgow, and Orange and Lithgow. These run daily or twice daily; however, there is limited bus service on Saturday. 

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We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people as the Traditional Custodians of the land where this event will take place. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.