Penny Wong opens Centre of Excellence

24 March

A new Centre of Excellence that will lead the way in developing new water technology was opened today in Brisbane by the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Penny Wong.

"The Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence will provide national and global leadership in recycling technology," Senator Wong said.

"It will provide facilities to researchers and industry to help support new water recycling practices, with the aim of commercialising these technologies for the benefit of our cities and towns."

Senator Wong said that diversifying water sources was central to securing our long term water supplies.

"Across Australia, urban water supplies are under increasing pressure to meet the demands of growing populations in the face of extended drought and a changing climate," Senator Wong said.

"The Rudd Government is committed to investing in urban water measures that help secure water supplies through alternative water sources that are less dependent on rainfall.

"That’s why a central part of our $12.9 billion Water for the Future initiative is a $1.7 billion investment towards new infrastructure projects, including desalination, recycling and stormwater harvesting, to help take the pressure off mains water supplies."

The Australian Government has contributed funding of $20 million over five years to the Centre, with the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination in Perth, established last year, also receiving equal funding from the Australian Government.

Member for Brisbane, Arch Bevis MP was pleased to see the opening of the Centre.

"It delivers an election commitment by the Rudd Government to establish two Centres of Excellence, one in Perth and one right here in Brisbane in recognition of the existing skills and experience available in each city," Mr Bevis said. 2

The Australian Water Recycling Centre of Excellence’s founding participant organisations include WaterSecure, the University of Queensland, Griffith University, the University of NSW, CSIRO, along with industry partners Veolia Water Australia Pty Ltd and GHD Pty Ltd.

For more information on Water for the Future and its urban initiatives visit www.environment.gov.au/water