December 2004
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FROM THE CEO'S DESK
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Russell Reichelt. Photo by Rob Parsons |
The Centre's future is now tied to the Commonwealth Government's election commitment to create a new type of research centre called a Commonwealth Environmental Research Facility. The details of this new type of centre have yet to be established, however the Prime Minister has made it clear that $40m over four years has been allocated to enable the work of the Reef and Rainforest Co-operative Research Centres to continue.
While the contract with the CRC Programme for both Reef and Rainforest CRCs will conclude in June 2006, I expect that the new Centre (called in the PM's press release a 'Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility') will be established by that time. The precise timing is not yet decided and it will be important to manage the issue of reduced funding in 2005-06 from the CRC Programme.
The new Centre will fulfil the conditions for the new type of Facility,
which were set out by the Prime Minister in the election statements
(‘Supporting North Queensland’). The new Facilities will:
- "facilitate stronger synergies and the creation of National Research
Hubs. This will build critical mass in areas of Australia’s research
strengths and national research priorities. It will also encourage the
development of world class research facilities by supporting proposals
that draw on multiple disciplines, professional partnerships and prior
research efforts". - "encourage sustainability in research efforts by encouraging industry
contributions. Public sector organisations that utilise the benefits of
research outcomes will also be required to contribute to the funding." - "support quality environmental research proposals that do not qualify
for assistance under the existing programmes. The proposals must
have a strong public good focus and demonstrate a strong public
good outcome."
James Cook University (JCU) has been a major research provider in the two CRCs. JCU-based researchers funded by the Centre will be part of the Tropical Sciences and Innovation Precinct being established at JCU. Notwithstanding these strong links to JCU, the Prime Minister's statement makes it clear that industry and government should also participate in the Centre, so it will be important to maintain and build on the existing partnerships with industry, government and research providers such as the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, CSIRO, other universities and CRCs.
The Centre will be a key part of the National Research Hub in Marine and Tropical Sciences, with nodes in Cairns and Townsville, and partners and collaborators from many other areas.
The allocation of $40m represents a substantial increase in funding (approx $3.5m per year increase) over the previous allocations to the two CRCs, and the new Centre will be expected to lift its performance accordingly. The existing members of the two CRCs will be involved in the process of establishing the new Centre, and contributing members will no doubt have a strong interest in seeing the research work tackle their highest priority problems.
Russell Reichelt
Chief Executive Officer
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CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd
PO Box 772 Townsville
Queensland 4810 Australia
Telephone: 61 47298400
Facsimile: 6147298499
Email: Info@crcreef.com
Website: www.reef.crc.org.au
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