QUEENSLAND CLIMATE CHANGE CENTRE OPEN FOR BUSINESS: PREMIER
Premier Peter Beattie today officially opened the new Queensland Climate Change Centre â€" the first of its kind in Australia. The centre establishes Queensland’s credentials as a national leader in driving climate change science and policy.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Premier Peter Beattie today officially opened the new Queensland Climate Change Centre – the first of its kind in Australia.
The centre establishes Queensland’s credentials as a national leader in driving climate change science and policy.
“The centre has a whole-of-government focus and is tapping into the latest knowledge from around the world to help Queensland plan for and adapt to our changing environment,” Mr Beattie said.
“With 54 staff including 40 scientists, it is already a significant powerhouse which brings science and policy together to chart the way forward for our regions, economies and our environment,” he said.
“Among its early projects are to identify and work with communities that may be particularly affected by climate change, and working with local governments and rural industries on their future planning.
“Staff numbers and the range of projects will of course increase over time, and the centre will form important partnerships with other agencies and links around the world.
“This is another example of the Smart State putting innovative solutions to work for all Queenslanders.”
Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said Queensland’s annual average temperature was projected to rise by up two degrees Celsius by 2030, and rainfall would drop by some 13%.
“While some parts of the State continue to get hotter and drier, others could face increased rainfall and bigger storms,” Mr Wallace said.
“These changing climatic conditions could result in higher bushfire risks, more heat-related illnesses and more intense natural disasters,” he said.
“With more intense droughts and heat waves and less frequent but more intense rainfall, the centre is an important step in the right direction to help plan for and adapt to our changing climate.”
Mr Wallace said the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence would help finalise the Queensland Climate Smart Adaptation Action Plan and progress outcomes of the Queensland Climate Change Summit.
The centre is headquartered in the Department of Natural Resources and Water ( NRW ) at the Indooroopillly Science Centre and also in Toowoomba.
Staff are also drawn from Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr Wallace said the centre would move to the new Boggo Road Ecosciences Precinct when it opens in 2010.
The State Government has provided $9 million in funding. This includes a once-off capital allocation of $1.5 million for high performance computing and other establisment costs, and an annual budget of $7.5 million.
In addition, $7.6 million is being provided over four years to evaluate the effectiveness of cloud seeding.
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