USQ to contribute expertise to new climate change facility

USQ will lead further research into climate change as one of eight Australian universities to take part in the new National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF).

USQ is part of a consortium led by Griffith University who will host the NCCARF. Other partners include Macquarie University, Murdoch University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of Newcastle, James Cook University and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments (ACSC) at USQ Professor Roger Stone said that the University’s involvement in the consortium was a major coup.

'The research will focus on climate change adaptation and how to prepare for climate change,' said Professor Stone.

'A lot of USQ research already fits into this area. We could potentially have a big role in this consortium and leverage our existing research strengths.'

With support from the Queensland Government’s Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence and Department of Emergency Services, the consortium won the Australian Greenhouse Office’s competitive bid for the NCCARF.

Experts from each of the universities will contribute in the areas of climatology, hydrology, ecology and conservation biology, statistics, engineering, psychology, urban planning, architecture, law and policy, community development and social research.

Over $50 million in Federal Government funding will be provided for climate change adaptation research through NCCARF.

'There was support from the Queensland Government and as part of our involvement we agreed to give cash and in-kind support,' Professor Stone said.

'This is a five year opportunity that we signed up for. We think USQ will have a strong role as we fit in the scope of what the NCCARF is all about.'

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baker thanked USQ staff who had contributed to the success of the proposal, particularly Dr Jerry Maroulis and Professor Roger Stone, and expressed his high expectations for the project.

'There is great value in this consortium,' he said.

'It draws together experts from across the full spectrum of Climate Change adaptation, including Roger Stone, who is arguably Australia’s best known climatologist.'

The Centre is part of the Australian Government’s $3.5 billion climate change strategy.

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