Science Collaboration
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Dec 04 2008
2008 >>

MR LAWLOR asked the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
(MR MULHERIN)-

QUESTION:

How is the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries proposing to strengthen its collaboration and better integrate its science effort with other Queensland based and national science agencies?

ANSWER:

Capitalising on R&D potential to foster world class innovation is one of the pillars adopted by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) to enhance service delivery and support for Queensland’s food and fibre sector. This is closely
linked with the development of a national framework for primary industries research, development and extension led by the Commonwealth and all State governments.

The national framework will support increased collaboration among research agencies around Australia and involve state primary industries research agencies, CSIRO and universities.

To strengthen its collaboration and better integrate its science effort within Queensland, DPI&F is developing key centres of excellence in conjunction with other agencies to increase the critical mass, collaboration and quality of research activities
involving the department. This will realise economies of scale in investing in new infrastructure, provide expanded opportunities for integration of research disciplines, maximise collaboration among researchers, and support tertiary education activities where universities are involved.

In south-east Queensland, centres of excellence are under development at Boggo Road and Coopers Plains. The Ecosciences Precinct at Boggo Road will enable the co-location of scientists from DPI&F, CSIRO and other Queensland government agencies including the Department of Natural Resources and Water and the Environmental Protection Agency. Similarly, the Health and Food Sciences Precinct
at Coopers Plains will bring together scientists from DPI&F, CSIRO, Queensland Health and the University of Queensland.
DPI&F and the University of Queensland recently opened the Centre for Advanced Animal Science at Gatton as a centre of excellence for collaborative research and development to support the animal industries of Queensland, and together with the Queensland University of Technology, are partners in the Queensland Crop Development Facility at Cleveland.

In June 2008, I announced the formation of a research partnership in north Queensland between DPI&F and James Cook University to collaborate in tropical research and biosecurity science relevant to tropical primary industries. This will enable closer collaboration and further integration of research effort by these two organisations. DPI&F has also formed an alliance with the University of the Sunshine Coast to collaborate in a forestry research program to support development of hardwood plantation forests in Queensland.

These linkages indicate the wide range of collaborative science development and activities involving DPI&F across Queensland, and demonstrate that significant partnerships are being developed to enhance the integration of science effort to support Queensland’s primary industries.

Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 1:50 AM