Expressions of interest open for the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence

Published Saturday, 22 July, 2017 at 08:45 AM

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Economic Development
The Honourable Bill Byrne

The Palaszczuk Government is seeking expressions of interest from organisations to host the new Rural Economies Centre of Excellence.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Economic Development Bill Byrne said that up to $3 million would be available over three years to establish the Centre.

“This will be a joint initiative and interested partners will be expected to provide financial and administrative support to ensure the Centre is a long-term initiative beyond the initial three years,” Minister Byrne said.

“This new Centre is intended to be innovative and collaborative, with a focus on providing ‘on-the-ground’ solutions that will help create vibrant rural economies and rural communities.

“An ‘Expression of Interest’ to host the Centre is now available on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.

“I encourage all interested organisations, including research bodies and universities to have a look and submit their proposal to the department by 25 August 2017.

“This allows interested organisations and institutions the opportunity to provide innovative and unique plans and proposals on how they would host the Centre.

“It also gives the government the ability to provide feedback and input before offering a contract arrangement.

“An Advisory Committee will be formed to guide the development and implementation of the Centre through this process. It will be made up of representatives from rural business, government and industry.”

Minister Byrne said the new Rural Economies Centre of Excellence would be a joint initiative with the aim of leveraging further funding from other organisations to identify and develop opportunities for job growth and rural economic development in the long-term.

“The Centre will focus on identifying polices, strategies and outreach programs that will significantly enhance the capability of public, private and community sectors to optimise economic prosperity for rural Queensland,’ he said.

Minister Byrne said the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries was continuing to focus on improving the provision of utilities and services to rural communities and the Centre would support and complement other government initiatives.

These include Advance Queensland, the Queensland Food and Fibre Policy and Agriculture and Food Research and the Development and Extension 10-Year Roadmap.

 More information on the Expression of Interest, visit www.daf.qld.gov.auor call 13 25 23.

 

ENDS

 

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