Critical Industry issues to be addressed through seven new research hubs

The Australian Government has committed more than $23.9 million to establish seven new industry research hubs that will address critical industry challenges across areas such as mining and resources, grain improvement, aquaculture and manufacturing. The funding has been provided through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Research Hubs scheme. Minister for Education, the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, said the announcement was an important commitment that would assist in securing Australian industries— including mining, oil and gas, manufacturing and food—into the future. “These new research hubs will support collaborative R&D projects that address challenging industry issues; indeed 26 industry partner organisations are contributing more than $36.4 million cash and in-kind for these new research projects,” Mr Pyne said. “The Australian Government is committed to a vibrant research sector with strong industry collaboration. This particular scheme allows us to deliver exactly that. “Industry partners range from multinational companies such as BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd to regionally based businesses such as Intrepid Geophysics.” World-class researchers and industry partners at the University of Tasmania will work together to improve profitability and productivity in Australia’s mining industry, while researchers at the University of NSW will focus on creating value from mixed plastic and glass waste in manufacturing. Producing new stress tolerant wheat varieties will be the focus of a research hub at the University of Adelaide, while researchers at James Cook University in Queensland will look to transform prawn aquaculture, with a focus on the black tiger prawn. 12 June 2014