Published Thursday, 09 October, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
State Govt grants helping build tomorrow’s Qld
Developing high level marketing strategies to sell Queensland wine overseas, creating new technologies to help prevent avian flu and developing a new process to increase shelf life of potatoes are just some of the innovative projects to have received a State Government grant in the last two years.
Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said there had been some great projects that received State Government funding over the past two years.
“If we’re serious about building on our current economic strengths, then ongoing investment into Queensland’s business sector is vital,” Ms Boyle said.
“We’ve seen some fantastic projects awarded funding – projects that lead to greater innovation and build strength in the regions.
“For example, Access Cold and Dry Storage based in Babinda received $250,000 for the development of an innovative potato product – a new process that will increase the vegetable’s shelf life without using chemical preservatives.
“We also awarded Sirromet Wines $57,000 to develop and implement national and international marketing strategies to help boost Queensland’s reputation for producing great wine.
“And then there’s Nanomics Biosystems in St Lucia which received funding to develop new technologies for a rapid, easy-to-use detection tool kit to help with the prevention of emerging infectious diseases such as avian flu and foot and mouth disease.”
Ms Boyle said there had been a large number of worthy grant applications received over the last two years and led to the reallocation of money from within other existing programs.
“While there have been a couple of Budget overruns, the additional funding was reallocated to support projects that the Bligh Government knew would provide great benefit to Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
“An example of where we reallocated funds was to support Queensland’s participation in the national Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy – a major Federal Government initiative to provide researchers with access to the infrastructure and networks necessary to undertake world-class research.
“The Bligh Government believes that it is important to maintain some flexibility our grants system to ensure that funds can be reallocated to projects which maximise the outcomes for business in tomorrow’s Queensland.
“Obviously a balance needs to be struck between providing assistance to innovative Queensland firms that are creating jobs for tomorrow’s Queensland and maintaining a strong budget position.
“Overall we have struck a good balance with over 200 grants provided to companies for significant projects.
“We’ll continue to invest in significant, innovative projects as we realise that a strong, smart economy is the key to business growth in tomorrrow’s Queensland.”
Ms Boyle encouraged interested businesses to contact their local state development centre for details on how to apply for a State Government grant.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
9 October 2008
Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said there had been some great projects that received State Government funding over the past two years.
“If we’re serious about building on our current economic strengths, then ongoing investment into Queensland’s business sector is vital,” Ms Boyle said.
“We’ve seen some fantastic projects awarded funding – projects that lead to greater innovation and build strength in the regions.
“For example, Access Cold and Dry Storage based in Babinda received $250,000 for the development of an innovative potato product – a new process that will increase the vegetable’s shelf life without using chemical preservatives.
“We also awarded Sirromet Wines $57,000 to develop and implement national and international marketing strategies to help boost Queensland’s reputation for producing great wine.
“And then there’s Nanomics Biosystems in St Lucia which received funding to develop new technologies for a rapid, easy-to-use detection tool kit to help with the prevention of emerging infectious diseases such as avian flu and foot and mouth disease.”
Ms Boyle said there had been a large number of worthy grant applications received over the last two years and led to the reallocation of money from within other existing programs.
“While there have been a couple of Budget overruns, the additional funding was reallocated to support projects that the Bligh Government knew would provide great benefit to Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
“An example of where we reallocated funds was to support Queensland’s participation in the national Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy – a major Federal Government initiative to provide researchers with access to the infrastructure and networks necessary to undertake world-class research.
“The Bligh Government believes that it is important to maintain some flexibility our grants system to ensure that funds can be reallocated to projects which maximise the outcomes for business in tomorrow’s Queensland.
“Obviously a balance needs to be struck between providing assistance to innovative Queensland firms that are creating jobs for tomorrow’s Queensland and maintaining a strong budget position.
“Overall we have struck a good balance with over 200 grants provided to companies for significant projects.
“We’ll continue to invest in significant, innovative projects as we realise that a strong, smart economy is the key to business growth in tomorrrow’s Queensland.”
Ms Boyle encouraged interested businesses to contact their local state development centre for details on how to apply for a State Government grant.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
9 October 2008