MEDIA RELEASEThe Hon Gary Gray AO MPParliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia |
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15 May 2009
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MURDOCH UNI CHOSEN TO HOST DESALINATION CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
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Murdoch University in Western Australia will receive $20 million over five years to host the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination at its Rockingham Campus, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Member for Brand, Gary Gray announced today. "The Rockingham campus will facilitate an important step in the Australian Government's commitment to developing a single, coherent, national framework that integrates rural and urban water issues," Mr Gray said. "Being able to add innovative desalination supplies to cities' water 'portfolios', not just here in WA but around the nation, will improve the water security of Australian families and provide certainty for businesses. "The National Centre of Excellence in Desalination will develop and commercialise new desalination technologies with emphasis on energy efficiency of the process. Murdoch University will receive $20 million from the Federal Government over five years to host the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination topped by up to an extra $5 million from the State Government. "Murdoch University was selected through an open call for proposals. The decision to award funding was largely driven by the contribution, in terms of expertise and resources, that the university is prepared to make to this project," Mr Gray said. "This Centre of Excellence will generate the knowledge and technology to help secure the future water supply of all Australians, consistent with the Government's10-year, $12.9 billion plan Water for the Future." Murdoch University Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich said the new Centre would build on Murdoch's historical research strengths and draw together the nation's top scientists in desalination to develop new solutions to the urgent water and energy challenges facing Australia. "Murdoch University is excited to lead and coordinate national and international research collaborations in energy-efficient desalination technology for use in Australia's unique circumstances, and indeed rural, city and industrial locations around the world. "This important new hub based at Murdoch's Rockingham campus will offer solutions to safeguard future water supplies for both consumers and industry, and these new technologies will have widespread application for the benefit of all Australians," Prof. Yovich said. Murdoch University will host the centre with strong involvement from other Australian universities, industry and international partners. The initial partners are Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, Flinders University, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, University of South Australia, Victoria University, University of Western Australia and the Water Corporation. There will be opportunities for the centre to work collaboratively with others on joint research initiatives. It is anticipated that the centre will commence its activities in the second half of 2009. "This funding honours an election commitment to contribute $20 million over five years to the Centre of Excellence in Desalination in Rockingham to support their research program" Mr Gray said. More information about Water for the Future is available at: www.environment.gov.au/water Media Contacts
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URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/gg/releases/2009/May/GG026_2009.htm