20 July
2006 - The Australian Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, today visited
North Queensland to announce more than $6 million
would be invested in research to explore and protect
some of Australia’s most applauded natural assets.
The $6.1 million funding is
for 2006-07 research priorities under the $40
million Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility
based at James Cook University campuses in Cairns
and Townsville.
“This is an important step towards
a better understanding of the many environmental
challenges facing the Great Barrier Reef, the
Torres Strait and our tropical rainforests including
the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area,” Senator
Campbell said.
The 2006-07 Marine and Tropical
Science Research Facility research plan covers:
• Great Barrier Reef, wet tropics rainforests
and Torres Strait ecosystems
• vconservation issues and protecting species
• evidence of climate change on Great Barrier
Reef/rainforest and catchment
• threats and impacts of invasive pests
• water quality
• sustainable use and management of marine resources
of the Great Barrier Reef
• planning and management of tropical rainforest
landscapes
“This Australian Government
funding will support collaborative research that
draws on the expertise of leading scientists and
research organisations,” Senator Campbell said.
“Research produced through this
project will help ensure the protection, conservation,
sustainable use and management of Australia’s
environmental assets,” he said.
Among the 38 projects being funded are:
• $1,220,000 to examine sustainable
use of our tropical rainforests and reefs to ensure
they are not damaged by human activities and can
remain a viable economic resource to communities
and industries. (James Cook University and the
Australian Institute of Marine Science)
• More than $100,000 to develop an Atlas of Climate
Change Risk for the Great Barrier Reef ecosystems.
This will pull together information on regional
effects of climate change on the reef, and how
these changes will impact on ecosystems, communities
and industries that rely on reef health. (Australian
Institute of Marine Science)
• consequently provide refuge areas for conserving
some of our most vulnerable species. (CSIRO)
• $275,000 to collect information from river sediments
and ‘fingerprint’ or identify the source of those
sediments to target areas where better management
is needed. (James Cook University)
• $225,000 to develop tools which will help detect,
monitor and manage key pests affecting our reef
and rainforests including toxic algae, crown of
thorns starfish and noxious weeds. (Reef: James
Cook University – rainforest: CSIRO)
Senator Campbell flagged the
upcoming announcement of a Marine and Tropical
Science Research Facility Ministerial Advisory
Council to advise on the research and management
directions.
“The council will be made up of industry representatives,
community representatives, leading research scientists,
research and resource management organisations,
Indigenous Australian representatives and research
end users,” Senator Campbell said.
Rob Broadfield
