The State Government is calling on the Federal Government to establish the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia in Townsville, with applications for stage one of the project selection rounds closing tomorrow.
The call comes a week after the Federal Government announced the headquarters of the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will be based in Cairns.
Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said Queensland was lobbying for the CRC to be based in Townsville due to the significant economic, social and environmental benefits the region would offer the programme.
“The Federal Government announced the establishment of the CRC in its White Paper on Developing Northern Australia to encourage businesses, governments and researchers to work together to identify opportunities for growth,” Mrs O’Rourke said
“With a focus on collaborative research to deliver commercial opportunities in areas such as agriculture, food and tropical health, Townsville is the most logical location for the centre to be based.
“Townsville has a strong academic sector, international connectivity, diverse economy and industry expertise.
“That’s the argument I took to the Federal Government in Canberra earlier this year, and again in Rockhampton when I met with Federal Minister for Northern Australia Matt Canavan last week.
“Having the CRC based in Townsville would support growth in North Queensland and foster economic development, which would lead to the creation of jobs.”
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Leanne Donaldson said agri-business was an important element in the north Queensland economy and establishing the CRC in the north would boost local opportunities.
“Almost 85 per cent of Queensland land is used for agricultural production – the largest agricultural land use in any Australian state – and the sector with its associated supply chains employs one in seven working Queenslanders,” Ms Donaldson said.
“With the current downward trend in the resources sector, these industries are more important to our economy and the overall well being of our communities, than ever before.”
James Cook University (JCU) Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Cocklin said there were many compelling reasons for the CRC to have its administrative base in Townsville.
“Nowhere else offers the same competitive advantages, with the weight of scientific and industry expertise available in the city,” Professor Cocklin said.
“JCU is part of this competitive advantage and can offer access to infrastructure, networks, professional support and research and development capability that are without equal in northern Australia.
“James Cook University has been involved in the development of proposals for the establishment of a CRC focused on northern Australia from the outset.”
