Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Business Innovation and Industry a key focus of state budget
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said encouraging business growth and investment throughout Queensland as well as supporting research and innovation are key priorities of the 2008-2009 State Budget.
Minister Boyle said her department would be responsible for administering a $227 million budget focussed on boosting priority industries, strengthening Queensland’s regional communities and helping to develop world-class scientific infrastructure.
“One of the key highlights of this year’s Budget package include $133 million to continue the design and construction of the Ecosciences Precinct at Boggo Road and the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains,” Ms Boyle said.
“The State Government is committed to its Smart State Agenda which has been funding the construction of world-class facilities for Queensland researchers over the past decade.
“In addition, a further $52 million will be spent on helping highly respected research bodies like the Queensland Health Centre for Clinical Research to upgrade their facilities and to fund important research projects.”
Ms Boyle said the Government would continue to work with and support priority industries such as creative industries, biotechnology, aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, marine, processed food, tourism and wine.
“These are some of Queensland’s biggest growth industries which are generating millions of dollars in export revenue and creating thousands of new jobs for Queenslanders,” she said.
Ms Boyle said the 2008-2009 State Budget would also focus on assisting regional Queensland.
“This budget is very much dedicated to implementing Smart State policies and industries throughout regional Queensland,” she said.
“Regional development projects will receive $1.72 million to help boost priority industries located in the State Government’s six Centres of Enterprise regions.
“Also, $1.6 million will be spent on establishing the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant.
“This funding will come out of the Innovation Building Fund and will enable the establishment of the first facility of its kind in Australia for commercial scale-up of new sugar innovations,” she said.
Ms Boyle said other regional projects to secure funding in the 2008-2009 State Budget are Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics on the Gold Coast ($4 million) the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation ($0.27million) and Rockhampton Regional Development Limited ($0.25 million).
Minister Boyle said her department would be responsible for administering a $227 million budget focussed on boosting priority industries, strengthening Queensland’s regional communities and helping to develop world-class scientific infrastructure.
“One of the key highlights of this year’s Budget package include $133 million to continue the design and construction of the Ecosciences Precinct at Boggo Road and the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains,” Ms Boyle said.
“The State Government is committed to its Smart State Agenda which has been funding the construction of world-class facilities for Queensland researchers over the past decade.
“In addition, a further $52 million will be spent on helping highly respected research bodies like the Queensland Health Centre for Clinical Research to upgrade their facilities and to fund important research projects.”
Ms Boyle said the Government would continue to work with and support priority industries such as creative industries, biotechnology, aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, marine, processed food, tourism and wine.
“These are some of Queensland’s biggest growth industries which are generating millions of dollars in export revenue and creating thousands of new jobs for Queenslanders,” she said.
Ms Boyle said the 2008-2009 State Budget would also focus on assisting regional Queensland.
“This budget is very much dedicated to implementing Smart State policies and industries throughout regional Queensland,” she said.
“Regional development projects will receive $1.72 million to help boost priority industries located in the State Government’s six Centres of Enterprise regions.
“Also, $1.6 million will be spent on establishing the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant.
“This funding will come out of the Innovation Building Fund and will enable the establishment of the first facility of its kind in Australia for commercial scale-up of new sugar innovations,” she said.
Ms Boyle said other regional projects to secure funding in the 2008-2009 State Budget are Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics on the Gold Coast ($4 million) the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation ($0.27million) and Rockhampton Regional Development Limited ($0.25 million).