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Australian Weeds Research Centre
The Australian Government has committed $15 million over four years, from 2008-09 to 2011-12, to establish an Australian Weeds Research Centre. This will be the centrepiece of a new comprehensive National Weeds Research and Productivity program that will reduce the impact of invasive plants on farm and forestry productivity as well as biodiversity.
The program will focus on improving the management of invasive plants in agriculture, forests, pastures and native vegetation by:
- investigating the most serious invasive plant problems in Australia
- uniting national experts, land managers and stakeholders to improve the understanding of how to manage the risks associated with invasive plants
- ensuring better coordination and information exchange between researchers, land managers and regulatory agencies for the management of invasive plants.
The new centre will also invest $0.3 million over two years to undertake a comprehensive fireweed research program.
The Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has appointed an interim Advisory Board for the Australian Weeds Research Centre. The interim Advisory Board will be seeking involvement from all jurisdictions, rural industries, as well as the research community and will work with potential partners to establish a long term collaborative Weeds Research Centre which will provide the best science to reduce the impact of weeds in Australia.
Mr John Kerin, the outgoing Chair of the Weeds CRC will chair the interim Advisory Board of the Australian Weeds Research Centre.
The other members of the interim advisory Board are:
- Mr Ian Sauer
- Ms Alexandra Gartmann
- Ms Jeanette Gellard
- Dr Yvonne Buckley
- Dr Glen Kile
The interim Advisory Board will meet and develop strategies and partnerships. After each meeting, the Board will post a communiqué on this website so that stakeholders are kept informed on the Board’s deliberations.
In 2008-09 the interim Advisory Board have set priorities for funding. Approximately $2 million dollars is available for weeds research projects and an open call for research applications has been announced. Information on Australian Weeds Research Centre Open Call for Funding.
For more information on the Australian Weeds Research Centre
Contact Australian Weeds Research Centre