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14 August 2009
Western Corridor Recycled Water Pty Ltd will receive $20
million over five years to host the National Centre of Excellence
in Water Recycling in Brisbane, Minister for Climate Change and
Water, Senator Penny Wong announced today.
"As we tackle the challenges associated with climate change, the
Rudd Government is committed to supporting state governments and
local communities as they identify new ways to secure their urban
water supplies," Senator Wong said.
"The Rudd Government is providing $1.5 billion towards new water
infrastructure projects to help take the pressure of mains water
supplies and provide cities and towns with alternative sources of
water that are less dependent on rainfall.
"Many communities around Australia are considering new water
supply options including stormwater harvesting, desalination and
water recycling."
Senator Wong said establishing the National Centre of Excellence
in Water Recycling would help develop and commercialise new water
recycling technologies.
"Today’s announcement honours an election commitment to
contribute $20 million over five years to a Centre of Excellence in
Water Recycling in Brisbane," Senator Wong said.
Western Corridor Recycled Water is owned by state authority
WaterSecure. WaterSecure chief executive officer, Keith Davies,
said the expertise of the Centre’s partners and connections with
national and international academia, industry and technological
providers would ensure that Australia is recognised as an
international leader in water recycling research.
"Our key focus is to bring together, under one Centre of
Excellence, parties from around Australia with an interest in
developing and commercialising breakthrough water recycling
technologies, and finding solutions to our water issues in a
collaborative and pioneering environment," Mr Davies said.
"This is a great coup for South East Queensland, a region that
is more than familiar with the effects of serious water shortages
and water challenges."
Western Corridor Recycled Water Pty Ltd will host the centre
with involvement from founding partners University of Queensland,
Griffith University, University of New South Wales and the
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO), along with industry partners including GHD and Veolia
Water Australia.
The centre is expected to start work later this year.
More information about the Centre of Excellence is available at:
www.environment.gov.au/water, or by calling 1800 218 478.
Minister's Media Contact: Ilsa Colson 0418 368
639