NEW MARINE AND TROPICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH
BOARD MEETS TODAY IN CAIRNS

08/08/2005 - The Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, and the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, have welcomed the new group of experts that will meet for the first time today to progress plans for the Australian Government’s $40 million Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility.
The new Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility will support important research relating to the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforests in North Queensland.
Senator Campbell said the interim Board for the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility would advise the Australian Government on priorities for environmental research in North Queensland.
"The Board will oversee the development of a four-year research investment strategy for the new Facility and will drive research on environmental problems relating to the Great Barrier Reef, the Torres Strait, the tropical terrestrial ecosystems in their adjoining catchments, and the region’s industries and communities," Senator Campbell said.
"I have also asked the Board to consult widely with North Queensland communities, including Indigenous and Torres Strait communities, industry and businesses in the development of its advice. A Scientific Consultative Committee will also be established to assist the Board in identifying research priorities and developing the research investment strategy."
Dr Nelson said the Board members comprised diverse experience, including representatives from regional business and industry, research organisations, Co-operative Research Centres, community groups and government agencies.
"This new Board has diverse expertise and experience and will be critical in providing quality advice about environmental research priorities for North Queensland and how to best address them," Dr Nelson said.
"I congratulate Mr Warren Entsch, the Member for Leichhardt, and Mr Peter Lindsay, the Member for Herbert, on the key role they played in bringing this research centre to North Queensland."
Prominent Cairns businessman Richard Ireland will chair the new Board, with Professor Russell Reichelt, currently head of the CRC for the Great Barrier Reef, serving as CEO once the Facility is established. The Board will be supplemented in the coming weeks by a representative from North Queensland natural resource management bodies.
The Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility is part of the Australian Government’s $100 million Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities initiative.
Further information about the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility and the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) programme is available online at www.deh.gov.au/programs/cerf