Strategic alliance for tropical knowledge

TROPICAL knowledge is set for a boost with the signing of a Cooperative Framework on Tropical Science, Knowledge and Innovation by the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australian governments. The framework aims to promote and develop the north’s strengths in tropical science and to strengthen linkages between all stakeholders.

The framework was signed in March at the Tropical Futures Forum by Premiers Peter Beattie and Geoff Gallup, and Chief Minister Clare Martin. The forum brought together leaders in their fields from research, government, industry and community to consider challenges, opportunities and priorities for tropical knowledge and innovation in the north. More than 150 delegates were invited to the forum. A summary report outlining the key outcomes will be available soon from the Tropical Futures Forum website (URL below).

Another initiative mooted at the Forum was the development of a tropical science precinct at James Cook University in Townsville, which would draw on expertise from re­search agencies from across the region, with CSIRO as a key partner.

“JCU aims to become the R&D headquarters for north Queensland,” said JCU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bernard Moulden. “We’re seeking to bring together on to one site as many as possible of the R&D providers of the region with a view to creating the largest aggregation of tropically focused researchers in the world.”

Charles Darwin University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Helen Garnett, says northern Australia has the potential to be a world leader in tropical issues such as health and environment, including how that influences the built environment.

“Charles Darwin University, like JCU, is specialising in niche areas where we can be different,” she explained. “Tropical research, like desert research, is one of the areas that Charles Darwin University is focused, that has great importance in Australia and is relevant elsewhere.”