ACSC and Condamine Alliance consolidate partnership

Representatives from the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments (ACSC) at USQ and the Condamine Alliance gathered for a special ceremony at the University to consolidate their partnership.

To signify the bond that exists between the two organisations, the Condamine Alliance presented a ceremonial boomerang to the ACSC.

'Over 20 ACSC members attended the ceremony to celebrate and reinforce the partnership that exists between the ACSC and the Condamine Alliance,' Deputy Director of the ACSC Dr Jerry Maroulis said.

'The Condamine Alliance representatives made it clear in their presentations that continued collaboration and research funding support for the ACSC will be provided by them to help us provide answers to many of their NRM questions that exist in the Condamine Catchment.'

After opening only 18 months ago, Dr Maroulis said that strengthening ties with organisations like the Condamine Alliance was important for the ACSC.

'It represents a key point in the early life of the ACSC. The Condamine Alliance has been one of the inaugural partners for the ACSC and one of the most strategically important given that USQ is part of the Condamine Catchment.

'By thinking locally, we can as a research centre provide research answers relevant to catchments at the local level such as the Condamine Catchment and beyond.'

The Condamine Alliance is just one of several ACSC partners, with the ACSC also keen to work more closely with these other organisations.

'As the centre membership and the diversity of the ACSC research centre grows, the opportunities available from the Condamine Alliance and other key NRM organisations will also increase,' Dr Maroulis said.

'We are working closely with all levels of government, industry and other key NRM groups at the local, national and international level to develop meaningful and sustainable research partnerships.'

CEO of the Condamine Alliance Phil McCullough attended the ceremony and highlighted the significance of the partnership.

'The value of working with our local university shouldn’t be under-estimated,' he said.

'Partnering with USQ will allow local knowledge to be incorporated in the national and international thinking on natural resource management.'

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628