Labor promises $15 million to new CQU reef research centre in Gladstone

A new Gladstone-based initiative that is poised to help preserve the Great Barrier Reef has received a hefty funding promise. Find out what it means for the region here.

The federal opposition has promised $15 million for a new Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre in Gladstone.

It is proposed to be part of a $163 million promise to protect the Great Barrier Reef and Labor said it would support tens of thousands of jobs.

If it goes ahead, Central Queensland University said it would include a purpose-built mud crab fishery research facility, a seaweed hatchery for seaweed mariculture research, a submarine remote operated vehicle for subtidal research and seagrass restoration and an island-based field research base for remote trials.

“This $15 million announcement is great news for skills, training and jobs in regional Queensland and is more proof that only Labor will deliver a better future for all,” Labor candidate for Flynn Matt Burnett said.

“I’ve been fighting for the Federal Government to invest in this for over three years, now as the Labor candidate for Flynn I’m committed to delivering it.

“Creating a good supply of skilled local workers, like through the CMERC, is critical to my plan to bring more jobs in more industries to Gladstone.

“Not to mention with the amount of boaties and fishermen and women in CQ, a healthy reef means plenty more fish up and down the coast for the future for us all.”

CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor professor Nick Klomp said the funding pledge would allow for the completion of the (CMERC), which is already conducting world-class research into seagrass restoration and other critical reef ecosystem projects.

“I am grateful to Federal Labor for today’s funding pledge, which will help CQUniversity to realise the full extent of our research vision for CMERC and the Southern Great Barrier Reef,” Professor Klomp said.

“CQUniversity has already committed $6.6m over five years to establish CMERC, including leasing a strategically significant site in the Gladstone Marina precinct and recruiting leading researchers.

“Today’s pledge from Federal Labor will allow us to realise the full extent of our plans for CMERC, which include purchasing essential research equipment and completing the fit-out of the $21.6m Centre.”

Mr Klomp said independent research from Deloitte Access Economics found the CMERC project would contribute $150 million to the economy over 20 years.

“CQUniversity has enjoyed fantastic community and industry support for this project, as well as benefiting from direct collaboration with Gidarjil Development Corporation for stewardship of sea country,” he said.

“I encourage all sides of politics to throw their support behind the completion of the CMERC project, to help secure an environmentally and economically bright future for the Southern Great Barrier Reef.”