$9M FOR NEW CLIMATE CHANGE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

Premier Peter Beattie today announced that Queensland has allocated $9 million to establish the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence - the first centre of its kind in Australia.

Mr Beattie said the new centre would establish Queensland as the leader in climate change issues.

The centre, which was a Beattie Government election commitment, will provide policy advice and scientific information on climate change and its impact on the community, the economy and the environment.

It will also provide advice about measures to further reduce and offset the State’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“Queensland is headed for a hotter, drier future,” Mr Beattie said.

“Annual average temperatures in the State are projected to increase by up to two degrees Celsius by 2030, while rainfall may be reduced by 15% over the same period,” he said.

“We need the Queensland Climate Change Centre for Excellence to understand and prepare for these climate changes.”

The $9 million funding includes a one-off allocation of $1.5 million in capital funding next year to assist in setting up the centre.

Thereafter, the centre’s annual recurrent budget will be $7.5 million.

Mr Beattie said the centre would be a specialist unit within the Department of Natural Resources and Water.

It will bring together the scientific knowledge and expertise of staff who will come from the departments of Natural Resources and Water, Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the centre would open its doors early next year with 54 staff located at the Indooroopilly Science Centre and also in Toowoomba.

“The new centre will form links with national and international climate researchers to ensure Queensland benefits from global research on climate change, as well as having strong links with national policy initiatives” he said.

“At the same time, it will apply that knowledge at a regional level so that local climate change impacts can be assessed and acted on by the government,” Mr Wallace said.


Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500

Mr Wallace’s office - Caroline Kaurila 0414 213 954

27 December 2006