Building Queensland’s scientific and research facilities
The Government’s investment in research and development (R&D) infrastructure (laboratories, major equipment and other facilities) is central to the Smart State vision. The Government has invested significantly in infrastructure that supports strategic and applied research of major importance to the State’s economic and social development.
The Smart State Research Facilities Fund is the Queensland Government’s major investment program for supporting the development of new R&D infrastructure. The Fund supports collaborative proposals for world-class research infrastructure in areas of existing or emerging competitive advantage which support the Government’s R&D priorities.
Since 2001, the Fund has allocated $125 million over three annual funding rounds to 18 projects with a total value of $367 million and has leveraged more than $242 million from other sources.
Smart State Research Facilities Fund – Round 3
In June 2004, the Premier announced that the Smart State Research Facilities Fund will provide almost $34 million in the third round of funding for seven proposals:
- $8.1 million to the University of Queensland (UQ) to establish a $19.3 million Queensland Preclinical Drug Development Facility in Brisbane
- $3.5 million to the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to establish $4.8 million Queensland Crop Development Facilities at Ormiston and QUT’s Gardens Point campus in Brisbane
- $9.5 million to UQ to establish a $23.2 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science at Gatton
- $3 million to the Mater Medical Research Institute in Brisbane to support cancer and other disease research through a $12.8 million animal research facility
- $5 million to QUT to establish a $10.2 million Medical Engineering Research Facility
- $2.2 million to UQ to expand the $15.8 million Queensland Hypersonic Testing Facility Centre in Brisbane and Toowoomba
- $2.5 million to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research to establish a $12.8 million Queensland Viral Testing and Product Characterisation Centre in Brisbane.
Over the past five years, the Queensland Government has invested more than $2.4 billion in world-class research projects and infrastructure, including more than $1.5 billion in life sciences, putting Queensland on the map as a smart choice for biotechnology research, development and commercialisation. |
The Smart State Research Facilities Fund is making a major contribution to improving health care and strengthening services to Queenslanders. Over 60% of the funding committed to date supports projects in medical research, from clinical trials of cancer drugs and therapies to discovery of new pharmaceuticals from Queensland’s rich, unique biodiversity.
Creative Industries Precinct
A key element of the Queensland Government’s creative industries strategy is the $60 million Creative Industries Precinct, launched by the Premier in May 2004 as part of the larger Kelvin Grove Urban Village in Brisbane. Developed in partnership with QUT with $15 million from the Queensland Government, the Precinct will provide state-of-the-art facilities and a collaborative environment to attract and develop internationally competitive research, products and companies.
Australasian Cooperative Research Centre for Interaction Design (ACID)
The $70 million ACID is a key component of the Creative Industries Precinct and will provide the catalyst for the next generation of digital content development, software and applications. It is the first cooperative research centre of its kind in Australia.
Electronic Games
The Queensland Government has committed $800 000 to an Interactive Games Industry Package, designed to develop Queensland’s electronic games industry.
With 30% employment growth over the last two years, there are now more than 360 people working in Queensland’s electronic games industry. Queensland’s e-games cluster includes 45 firms. National e-games exports were worth $100 million in 2002 and are targeted to growth to $1 billion in 2010.
High Performance Computing
High performance computing is a core enabling technology, critical to cutting edge research and promoting innovative R&D in the State across a range of disciplines including biotechnology, manufacturing, mining, ecosystems management and engineering. Queensland Government funding of this infrastructure through the Queensland
Parallel Supercomputing Foundation has ensured the development of world class supercomputing facilities available to all Queensland-based universities. The Government has committed $6 million in funding for the next three years, which has secured a further $6.2 million from other sources, to provide access to supercomputing facilities for 150 PhD students, and direct employment of 25 researchers and technicians.
Institute for ICT Innovation
In July 2003, the Queensland Government announced it would establish the Institute for ICT Innovation with two key components:
- e-Health Research Centre – a joint venture between the Government and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), launched by the Premier in May 2004
- e-Security Research Initiative – a joint project with National ICT Australia (NICTA), the National ICT Centre of Excellence and Queensland universities, which will be opened later in 2004.
The Government’s total $13.75 million investment has leveraged up to $7.5 million for the e-Health component, and $10 million for the e-Security component.
Queensland has the largest e-security cluster in the southern hemisphere, an internationally recognised e-security R&D capability, and the second largest population of e-security companies in the world with over 190 firms. |
Queensland Brain Institute
In January 2004, the Premier announced the Queensland Government’s commitment of $20 million towards the construction of the $60 million Queensland Brain Institute at the Queensland Biosciences Precinct in Brisbane.
The Institute will be the first in the world to focus on understanding how the brain works and in particular, its ability to adapt to change by generating new nerve cells and forming new functional connections.
This will have incredible potential for the discovery of cures and ways of alleviating brain-related illnesses and disorders. Construction of the Institute is expected to begin in early 2005, with opening expected in mid 2006.
Boggo Road Knowledge Precinct
This strategically located site, close to Brisbane CBD, offers an unrivalled opportunity to develop high quality research and technology facilities.
Centre for Excellence for Applied Sport Science Research
The $2.4 million Centre of Excellence for Applied Sports Science Research at the Queensland Academy of Sport aims to improve the performances of Queensland’s elite athletes. The only state-sponsored initiative of its kind in Australia, the Centre will offer PhD, Masters and Honours scholarships for Queensland’s brightest sports science students in physiology, psychology, biomechanics, physiotherapy and nutrition.
Queensland-linked Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence Program
The Queensland Government has provided over $6.8 million to support five Queensland consortia that have secured Commonwealth Government Australian Research Council Centres of Excellence grants. This has brought over $15 million into the Smart State. The centres will undertake innovative research in legume production, biotechnology, mathematical and statistical modelling, quantum-atom optics and quantum computer technology. This research is contributing to Queensland’s development as a knowledge-intensive economy.
Queensland CRC Development Grants Program
Queensland is involved in 54 of Australia’s 72 cooperative research centres (CRC) – 17 of those are headquartered in Queensland. The Queensland Government has contributed more than $155 million in support of Queensland-associated CRCs through its Queensland CRC Development Grants Program and many millions more each year in other cash and in-kind resources invested through active involvement of 12 different government departments in various CRCs. These CRC partnerships between public and private research providers and industry have leveraged more than $500 million of contributing funds, together with other resources including jobs and commercial opportunities for Queensland.
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Projected benefits of the 54 CRCs operating in Queensland include:
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Science and Research Infrastructure Co-investment Strategy
Queensland’s science and research infrastructure requirements are continually evolving. In recognition of the increasing complexity, size and costs of research infrastructure, the Queensland Government is developing an infrastructure co-investment strategy with Queensland’s science providers to optimise the State’s current and future infrastructure investments, and maintain Queensland’s place at the forefront of scientific and academic excellence.
South East Queensland has a range of existing and emerging R&D strengths clustered in the fields of:
- molecular biosciences at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct at St Lucia
- health and medical research at Queensland Institute of Medical Research and the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital campus at Herston
- creative industries at Queensland University of Technology’s Kelvin Grove campus
- clinical research and pharmaceuticals at the Princess Alexandra Hospital campus
- analytical and forensic science, including food safety and biosecurity, at Queensland Health’s Pathology and Scientific Services campus, Coopers Plains
- biodiscovery and pharmaceuticals at Griffith University’s Nathan campus
- mineral and energy research at the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies (QCAT) facility at Pullenvale
- marine fisheries and ecology and aquaculture at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries’ Bribie Island research centre, and agricultural and crop development at its Redlands site
- large animal health research at the University of Queensland Gatton campus
- natural resource systems research at the Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Mines and Energy’s Indooroopilly Sciences Centre
- strategic mining and minerals research at the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS) at Redbank and the Geological Survey of Queensland unit of the Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Mines and Energy located at Indooroopilly and Zillmere.
By its nature, research into natural resource systems, pest management, and agricultural production systems involves research staff working on the ground in catchments across the whole of the State.
Queensland’s most significant regional R&D capabilities focus on local needs or build on a particular competitive advantage, such as:
- one of the largest mining and metallurgy research efforts in the world centred on Mt Isa and Townsville
- one of the largest concentrations of tropical marine scientists in the world based around Townsville
- world class light metals processing research in Gladstone
- world class sugar research in Mackay and Bundaberg
- world class beef research in Rockhampton.
In addition to major investments in new smart infrastructure, the State Government is building on the existing research capacity in Queensland hospitals and medical research institutes.
Smart State Health and Medical Research Fund
The Premier launched the $4.7 million Fund in June 2004 to improve Queensland’s performance and reputation for excellence in health and medical research. The Fund comprises two elements:
- Operational Support Program for Queensland’s independent medical research institutes to leverage increased Commonwealth Government funding
- Queensland Clinical Research Fellowships program to attract and retain outstanding clinician-researchers in Queensland hospitals.
This investment is helping to position Queensland as one of the nation’s leading centres for health and medical research.
With health spending projected to rise from 9% to 17% of Gross Domestic product (GDP) over the next 40 years, investment in health and medical R&D is critical to reduce the projected cost and impact of chronic and age-related illness.
Last reviewed 19 January 2006