BEATTIE ANNOUNCES $2M FOR RESEARCH INTO QUEENSLAND’S TROPICAL RIVERS

NEW YORK: The Queensland Government is providing $2 million in financial backing for research into the economic, environmental and social management of Queensland’s tropical rivers.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie announced that Griffith University had been awarded a $2 million Innovation Projects Fund grant when he addressed the American Australian Association and The Earth Institute lunch in New York today.

Mr Beattie aid the research team would look at the sustainable use and management of tropical rivers in Queensland. .

“The research of the Flinders and Mitchell river ecosystems that flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria will be invaluable in helping to manage the State’s tropical rivers,” Mr Beattie said.

When all other partner funding is included, the total project involves an overall investment of $8.5 million.

“The catchments of the Gulf of Carpentaria generate over half the surface water runoff in Queensland and the Gulf’s coastal waterways support northern fisheries. The region also supports mining, tourism and agriculture,” Mr Beattie said.

“”The overarching objective of the research is to see how we can manage our rivers so that they can sustain agriculture, mining and fisheries in a way which is not damaging to their ecosystems.”

The Innovation Projects Fund is part of the Queensland Government’s $200 million Smart State Innovation Funding Program, which aims to build world-class research facilities, attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.

“The Queensland Government has invested more than $3 billion in innovation, science and research since 1998. I think this demonstrates our deep and ongoing commitment to maintaining Queensland’s reputation as the Smart State,” Mr Beattie said.

Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500

Contact: Stuart Bunn, Griffith University, tel 3735 7407, mob. 0417 300 018, email: s.bunn@griffith.edu.au