2. Compendium of Priorities and Initiatives (continued)
Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Regional Managers Network
The Regional Managers Network has officers located in 15 regional centres to improve access to information and programs directly benefiting regional businesses. The Government has provided $5.7 million over two years to fund the network.
Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics
The Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics undertakes scientific research into plant genomics and evaluates the commercial potential for products and services resulting from the research. In particular, the centre will focus on improving the resistance of wheat and barley to drought, salinity and mineral deficiencies and on improving the heat tolerance of canola. The centre has received funding of $7.8 million over four years to support its research.
Cooperative Research Centres Program
The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program is to deliver significant economic, environmental and social benefits to Australia by supporting partnerships between researchers and end users. To enhance rural and regional development, the Government allocated $201.5 million over four years. Currently, 26 CRCs operating across the rural‑based manufacturing, environment, and mining and energy sectors make a contribution to strengthening rural and regional development. The CRCs operating in these fields have contributed significantly to the education and training of industry‑ready graduates.
Enterprise Connect
Enterprise Connect provides support to small and medium‑sized enterprises to help them become more innovative, efficient and competitive. The Government began establishing Innovation Centres in 2008 in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales. The most recently established centre, the $20 million Clean Energy Innovation Centre, in Newcastle in New South Wales, opened in April 2009. The Government also established a national Manufacturing Network. Launched on 21 August 2008, the Innovative Regions Centre is designed to boost productivity, improve innovation and increase the competitiveness of small and medium‑sized enterprises in a number of regions around Australia, including Geelong in Victoria and North Adelaide in South Australia. Enterprise Connect is a $251 million initiative over five years with an additional $20 million recently added for the Defence Industry Innovation Centre.
Commercialising Emerging Technologies
Commercialising Emerging Technologies (COMET) supports individuals, early‑growth stage and spin‑off companies to improve their potential for successful commercialisation of their innovation. Support is provided in the form of business assistance through a network of business advisers located across Australia. In April 2009, the Government announced grants totalling more than $2.1 million for 33 innovations.
Institute for Environmental Research Program
The Institute for Environmental Research is undertaking research in water and air pollution in southern Australia, the Pilbara region in Western Australia, the Darling River, the Macquarie Marshes and the Namoi Valley in New South Wales. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation is working with local councils in New South Wales to undertake research on the fine particle air quality in regional communities. The Government will provide $615,000 in 2009‑10 to support this research.
National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training
The new National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, $30 million over five years, has been established to undertake scientific research in all aspects of groundwater. It will provide high‑quality training for post‑graduate and postdoctoral students and for professional hydrogeologists, groundwater engineers and groundwater managers.
North‑East Tasmania Development Package
The North‑East Tasmania Development Package will provide competitive, merit‑based grants to local businesses and groups for new employment creation in the north‑east region of Tasmania. The assistance will be delivered through the North East Tasmania Innovation and Investment Fund and the Business Micro Capital Scheme. The Government announced 19 successful projects in March 2009, which will create 63 sustainable jobs in the north‑east region of Tasmania. The Government has provided $4.5 million over two years to support the economic development package.
Super Science Initiatives
The Government will make targeted investment to support the following three fields of scientific research: space, science and astronomy, $160.5 million over four years; marine science and the climate frontier, $387.7 million over five years; and future industries — nanotechnology and life sciences — $504 million over five years.
This investment will limit the impact of the global financial crisis by providing funds for critical infrastructure needs across Australia, including rural and regional centres. These major infrastructure developments will create highly skilled jobs, as well as provide important research capabilities and information gathering on natural resource management, forestry and agriculture to benefit rural and regional Australia.
Further information
Further information about these and other innovation, industry, science and research initiatives relating to rural and regional Australia is available at www.arc.gov.au.
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