Column piece: CQ Today
Professor Nick Klomp' Vice-Chancellor and President' CQUniversity Australia
With the next federal election now locked in for 21 May 2022' I am sure Central Queensland will see its fair share of politicians hitting the campaign trail in the weeks ahead.
In fact' I would be more than happy to welcome them to a CQU campus to showcase the impact we have on our communities and why the University needs ongoing support for projects that will benefit regional Queensland.
As Vice-Chancellor of CQUniversity I will be championing several key projects that will not only benefit the University' but which will also make a positive contribution to regional communities.
The five key projects CQUniversity hopes to gain bi-partisan support for during the election campaign include:
A new CQUniversity Cairns campus
As well as underpinning ongoing growth in CQUniversity enrolments' this transformational project will help to diversify the local economy and support long-term economic recovery in the Far North.
Education infrastructure such as this is vital' especially now as regional areas experience unprecedented population growth. It is estimated that the project would create almost 780 jobs (direct and indirect) and contribute $500 million to the economy in the Far North over 10 years. So far' the ALP has committed to this project' and we hope to see the Coalition follow suit.
Value: $50 million
Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC)
CQUniversity is seeking a commitment to fund the expansion of its Gladstone-based Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC).
The funding will enhance the centre's facilities and expand research to new industries like seaweed mariculture' mud crab aquaculture' and dredge spoil reuse.
The Southern Great Barrier Reef is home to a multi-billion-dollar blue economy' where marine ecosystems co-exist with shipping' fisheries' tourism' agriculture and other key industries.
CMERC is playing a key role in ensuring the future sustainability of the reef' in collaboration with the many other industries that contribute to the economic vibrancy of the region.
The ALP has so far committed to this project and again' I look forward to a similar commitment from the Coalition.
Value: $15 million
Mackay Electric Vehicle and Energy Training Centre (MEVET)
There is no denying that electric and hybrid vehicles will be the way of the future' not just for passenger vehicles but for commercial purposes as well.
Increased usage of such technology is a great thing for the environment but without trained workforces to maintain such vehicles' the mainstream delivery and usage of this type of innovation would be unsustainable.
The MEVET Centre will position Mackay as a hub for light and heavy electric vehicle training' establishing a locally grown pipeline of skilled workers and professionals now' ahead of time' in Central Queensland.
As mentioned previously' the ALP has committed to this project' and I am hopeful we will gain bi-partisan support to make this important' industry-building and job-creating centre a reality.
Value: $9 million
CQUniversity TAFE CQ Hydrogen Training Centre
Complementing the new School of Manufacturing' which is now almost complete following a LNP commitment at the last election' this new development will deliver positive employment outcomes' providing training and re-skilling opportunities for students and workers in new' cutting-edge industries and technologies.
The Training Centre will also ensure we have the infrastructure and equipment that is needed to deliver training locally' in Central Queensland' and in partnership with local industry. Hydrogen could be a game changer for Australia' as well as for Central Queensland' with the industry having the potential to generate billions of dollars annually while also creating thousands of jobs in CQ.
Value: $16.7 million
Belmont Station Research and AgTech hub
In partnership with AgForce' CQUniversity is keen to establish a new AgTech hub at Belmont Station' that will deliver globally unique research' focusing on precision livestock management.
The establishment of the hub will allow us to reinvigorate the iconic Belmont Station and directly connect livestock producers in Central Queensland and beyond' with cutting edge technology' global research expertise' commercial AgTech providers' and purpose-built training and collaboration spaces.
By joining together all these elements of the Research' Development' Engagement and Application chain in one location' we can make big ideas both possible and practical.
Value: $6 million
Funding these projects will help CQUniversity to deliver strategic initiatives that will boost regional economies' improve environmental outcomes' create jobs' and equip industry with workforces who possess the skills of tomorrow.
I thank all our current members for their support of the University in recent years' and I wish all the candidates in our local electorates the very best for their election campaigns and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.
