08/08/2005 - The Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell, and the Minister for Education,
Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, have
welcomed the new group of experts that will
meet for the first time today to progress
plans for the Australian Government’s $40
million Marine and Tropical Sciences Research
Facility.
The new Marine and Tropical Sciences Research
Facility will support important research relating
to the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforests
in North Queensland.
Senator Campbell said the interim Board for
the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research
Facility would advise the Australian Government
on priorities for environmental research in
North Queensland.
"The Board will oversee the development
of a four-year research investment strategy
for the new Facility and will drive research
on environmental problems relating to the
Great Barrier Reef, the Torres Strait, the
tropical terrestrial ecosystems in their adjoining
catchments, and the region’s industries and
communities," Senator Campbell said.
"I have also asked the Board to consult
widely with North Queensland communities,
including Indigenous and Torres Strait communities,
industry and businesses in the development
of its advice. A Scientific Consultative Committee
will also be established to assist the Board
in identifying research priorities and developing
the research investment strategy."
Dr Nelson said the Board members comprised
diverse experience, including representatives
from regional business and industry, research
organisations, Co-operative Research Centres,
community groups and government agencies.
"This new Board has diverse expertise
and experience and will be critical in providing
quality advice about environmental research
priorities for North Queensland and how to
best address them," Dr Nelson said.
"I congratulate Mr Warren Entsch, the
Member for Leichhardt, and Mr Peter Lindsay,
the Member for Herbert, on the key role they
played in bringing this research centre to
North Queensland."
Prominent Cairns businessman Richard Ireland
will chair the new Board, with Professor Russell
Reichelt, currently head of the CRC for the
Great Barrier Reef, serving as CEO once the
Facility is established. The Board will be
supplemented in the coming weeks by a representative
from North Queensland natural resource management
bodies.
The Marine and Tropical Sciences Research
Facility is part of the Australian Government’s
$100 million Commonwealth Environment Research
Facilities initiative.
Further information about the Marine and Tropical
Sciences Research Facility and the Commonwealth
Environment Research Facilities (CERF) programme
is available online at www.deh.gov.au/programs/cerf
