Published Saturday, 12 May, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
CLIMATE CHANGE MODEL FOR QUEENSLAND’S COASTLINE
Columbia, South Carolina: The Queensland government will help fund a research initiative to assess the impact of climate change on Queensland’s coastline and develop a computer model to predict and track storms surges and coastal erosion.
Premier Peter Beattie announced the latest initiative when he delivered the Commencement Day address at the University of South Carolina campus today.
Mr Beattie said Griffith University had been awarded a $973,920 grant from Queensland Government’s Smart State Innovation Fund to conduct the research.
“When all other partner funding is included, the total project involves an overall investment of $3.8 million,” Mr Beattie said.
“Griffith University researchers will develop a computer model that will have the capacity to predict and track storm surges and coastal erosion and inundation due to rising sea-levels and extreme weather events caused by global climate change.”
Mr Beattie said the research would be of enormous benefit to coastal management and emergency services.
“It will provide decision-makers with the key information they need to mitigate the risk of climate change in coastal regions and for our emergency services, it will provide them with a model to predict extreme weather conditions from which they can develop responses that could save many lives,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said Griffith University partners on the project included the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, Gold Coast City Council, the Danish Hydraulics Institute, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research centre.
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.
The University of South Carolina awarded Mr Beattie an Honorary Doctorate in Laws during his visit.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Contact: Professor Rodger Tomlinson, Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, tel 5552 8499, email: r.tomlinson@griffith.edu.au
Premier Peter Beattie announced the latest initiative when he delivered the Commencement Day address at the University of South Carolina campus today.
Mr Beattie said Griffith University had been awarded a $973,920 grant from Queensland Government’s Smart State Innovation Fund to conduct the research.
“When all other partner funding is included, the total project involves an overall investment of $3.8 million,” Mr Beattie said.
“Griffith University researchers will develop a computer model that will have the capacity to predict and track storm surges and coastal erosion and inundation due to rising sea-levels and extreme weather events caused by global climate change.”
Mr Beattie said the research would be of enormous benefit to coastal management and emergency services.
“It will provide decision-makers with the key information they need to mitigate the risk of climate change in coastal regions and for our emergency services, it will provide them with a model to predict extreme weather conditions from which they can develop responses that could save many lives,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said Griffith University partners on the project included the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, Gold Coast City Council, the Danish Hydraulics Institute, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research centre.
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.
The University of South Carolina awarded Mr Beattie an Honorary Doctorate in Laws during his visit.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Contact: Professor Rodger Tomlinson, Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, tel 5552 8499, email: r.tomlinson@griffith.edu.au