Jump to Content

Media Release

August 25 2009

Research targets clean, safe, environments

UniSA’s $20m environmental research facility open for business


UniSA's new Environmental Sciences building a hub for research into cleaner environmentsThe University of South Australia will officially launch its state-of-the-art Environmental Sciences building at the Mawson Lakes campus tomorrow (August 26 2009).

Home to UniSA’s Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR) and headquarters for the national Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), the $20 million building is the Australasian hub for research into environmental risk assessment and remediation, a problem with clean-up costs estimated at between $5 and $8 billion in Australia alone.

The building will be launched by Senator for South Australia, Anne McEwen, who will be representing the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong.

The 10 am event will include an expert panel discussion focussing on the key issues associated with managing environmental contamination, including local, national and international challenges – with panel members Dr Paul Barrett, Deputy Executive Director of the Australian Institute of Petroleum, Stuart McConnell, Director of Future Focus, Environmental Protection Authority, Victoria; and Ross McFarland, National Practice Leader and Principal Scientist, AECOM.

UniSA Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Høj, says the new Environmental Sciences Building offers our leading researchers a physical focus for high level research, innovation and education about some of the most challenging aspects of environmental health.

“When you take a broad look at the data, the importance of this research facility is very clear,” Prof Høj said.

“Australia has more than 100,000 contaminated sites and in Asia there are an estimated five million more. Contamination affects drinking water, crop quality and food production and the safety of the very land we live on.

“This century we are all squarely focussed on the health of the planet and that in part will depend on how we clean up after ourselves, how we remediate the damage that has already been done and minimise future degradation and contamination of our environment.”

In a short statement, Minister for Climate Change and Water Senator Penny Wong, said UniSA should be congratulated for its investment in invaluable research and teaching infrastructure.

“I would like to congratulate the University of South Australia on the Environmental Sciences Building which will provide the university with a state of the art, flexible research facility incorporating a range of sustainable technology initiatives,” Senator Wong said.

“More broadly, the Government understands the importance of the CRC program in building Australia’s ability to pursue innovative solutions to the major challenges facing Australia. This will be critical as we tackle challenges such as climate change.”

Professor Hoj said the new facilities at Mawson Lakes would provide a one-stop-shop for industry and regulators to discuss and identify priority research needs and technology transfer.

Researchers at CERAR and the CRC CARE have already developed a strong national and international reputation for cleaning up petroleum hydrocarbons from Australian Defence sites using green technologies and in understanding significant international problems such as unravelling the trail of arsenic contamination from groundwater to rice crops eaten by populations in some parts of Asia.

“Research in this building brings together experts in biogeochemistry, contaminant chemistry, microbiology, ecotoxicology, environmental engineering and hydrology in a multidisciplinary environment keenly focussed on solving real problems and delivering research that makes a difference,” Prof Høj said.

“It offers a vibrant and focussed academic environment for tomorrow’s researchers and industry leaders and the best learning environment for the experts we’ll need in the future.”


Social bookmarking
Digg Digg It Reddit Reddit Delicious Delicious Stumble It Stumble It! NewsvineSeed Newsvine

Media contact

 

top^