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August 3, 2007
WA environment the winner as bright minds join forces
The WA environment is soon to benefit from an injection of more than $6.2 million in research funding, after three innovative projects spearheaded by mining giant Alcoa, were awarded prestigious Australia Research Council (ARC) grants by the Federal Government.
The three research projects, all collaborations between Alcoa and leading Australian universities, bring to 18 the number of ARC grants awarded to Alcoa-led projects in the past five years, and are clear recognition of the company’s position as a leader in the field of environmental research in Western Australia.
Alcoa’s Managing Director Wayne Osborn said the company was proud to partner universities under the Australian Research Council grants scheme, in working to find real solutions to serious environmental challenges.
Mr Osborn said Alcoa matched funding received through the ARC program and had invested more than $7 million in cash and in-kind support to the 18 projects, mainly in the area of environmental research.
“The ARC scheme enables our environmental research team to work with some of the best minds in the country to tackle environmental issues which not only affect our local communities in Western Australia, but also Australia-wide,” he said.
“Alcoa’s leadership in the area of environmental restoration over the past 40 years has led to our recognition as a world-leader in environmental research and rehabilitation and these grants enable our researchers to continue to build capacity in this arena.”
Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, said ARC grants were Australia’s premier grants for publicly-funded research.
“This grant scheme promotes world-class research through collaborative partnerships between industry and universities and encourages research resulting in direct and practical benefits for local industries and communities,” she said.
Two of the Alcoa-led projects awarded 2007 ARC grants support research with The University of Western Australia (UWA) and Murdoch University, to improve the understanding and management of dieback disease in jarrah forests.
Alcoa has long been involved in research to promote the sustainability of jarrah forest and was instrumental in the formation of a specialist research unit into jarrah forest dieback at Murdoch University, the Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management.
“More than 40 per cent of the native plant species in WA are susceptible to dieback, and many in the community will be aware of the impact it is having in our National Parks and Nature Reserves,” Centre Director Associate Professor Giles Hardy said.
“These new ARC projects with Alcoa represent just the sort of collaboration that enables us to develop better detection and control methods and ultimately reduce the impact of this highly destructive disease in our landscapes.”
Vice Chancellor of The University of Western Australia, Professor Alan Robson, said the University was extremely pleased to work with Alcoa on environmental research projects which have the potential for far reaching environmental and community benefits.
“The University views cooperative and productive relationships with major industry partners – such as Alcoa – as very important in adding value to the community benefit of many research activities,” Professor Robson said.
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