CAIRNS NEW HOME TO TROPICAL SCIENCE HUB
Published Thursday, 09 November, 2006 at 10:57 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Far North Queensland will secure its reputation as a world premier centre for tropical forest research following the launch of the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture and the Australian Tropical Herbarium at James Cook University’s Cairns campus.
Minister for State Development John Mickel, James Cook University Vice Chancellor Professor Bernard Moulden and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems’ acting Chief Dr Brian Keating launched the Australian Tropical Herbarium and the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture today.
Both the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture and the Australian Tropical Herbarium will be housed in the new $9.6 million Australian Tropical Forest Institute due to be completed by June 2007.
In a collaborative effort the Queensland Government, the Federal government, CSIRO and James Cook University have all contributed funding and support for the projects.
Minister Mickel thanked all the parties for their efforts towards the ATFI, the Herbarium and the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture.
“The new Australian Tropical Forest Institute is destined to be a centre of excellence resulting in better tropical forest conservation and sustainable use, including business and research opportunities,” Mr Mickel said.
“ATFI will ensure Queensland continues its excellence in tropical science.”
The Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture has been established as a vehicle for developing a collaborative program of research to underpin the sustainable management of tropical landscapes, including the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area.
“The Herbarium, will combine collections from the Australian National Herbarium in Atherton, the Queensland Herbarium in Mareeba and James Cook University campuses with state-of-the-art molecular science laboratories essential for modern plant research,” Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said the State Government recognised the significance of the ATFI project and awarded James Cook University $7.8 million as a 30-year, interest free loan under the Smart State Research Facilities Fund.
Mr Mickel today presented the second payment of $2 million to JCU bring the total paid to James Cook University to $3.8 million to date.
JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Bernard Moulden said, “As the Premier, Mr Beattie, acknowledged a few weeks ago, JCU has positioned itself as Australia's leading tropical research university.
“The ATFI in Cairns, and the State-supported Australian Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct in Townsville, will be the physical symbols of that positioning.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
CSIRO contact: Louise Matthiesson 3214 2642 or mobile 0405 284102
JCU contact: Jim O’Brien 4781 4822
9 November, 2006
Minister for State Development John Mickel, James Cook University Vice Chancellor Professor Bernard Moulden and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems’ acting Chief Dr Brian Keating launched the Australian Tropical Herbarium and the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture today.
Both the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture and the Australian Tropical Herbarium will be housed in the new $9.6 million Australian Tropical Forest Institute due to be completed by June 2007.
In a collaborative effort the Queensland Government, the Federal government, CSIRO and James Cook University have all contributed funding and support for the projects.
Minister Mickel thanked all the parties for their efforts towards the ATFI, the Herbarium and the Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture.
“The new Australian Tropical Forest Institute is destined to be a centre of excellence resulting in better tropical forest conservation and sustainable use, including business and research opportunities,” Mr Mickel said.
“ATFI will ensure Queensland continues its excellence in tropical science.”
The Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture has been established as a vehicle for developing a collaborative program of research to underpin the sustainable management of tropical landscapes, including the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area.
“The Herbarium, will combine collections from the Australian National Herbarium in Atherton, the Queensland Herbarium in Mareeba and James Cook University campuses with state-of-the-art molecular science laboratories essential for modern plant research,” Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said the State Government recognised the significance of the ATFI project and awarded James Cook University $7.8 million as a 30-year, interest free loan under the Smart State Research Facilities Fund.
Mr Mickel today presented the second payment of $2 million to JCU bring the total paid to James Cook University to $3.8 million to date.
JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Bernard Moulden said, “As the Premier, Mr Beattie, acknowledged a few weeks ago, JCU has positioned itself as Australia's leading tropical research university.
“The ATFI in Cairns, and the State-supported Australian Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct in Townsville, will be the physical symbols of that positioning.”
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
CSIRO contact: Louise Matthiesson 3214 2642 or mobile 0405 284102
JCU contact: Jim O’Brien 4781 4822
9 November, 2006