Australian Government launches energy resources Growth Centre

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Image credit: www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net by Stuart Miles

The Australian Government has established a new Growth Centre with a national reach and focus that will drive productivity, competitiveness and innovation across the oil, gas, coal and uranium sectors.

Image credit: www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net by Stuart Miles
Image credit: www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
by Stuart Miles

Headquartered in Perth, the new Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Growth Centre – to be known as National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) – will promote collaboration and innovation across the country’s energy and resources sector.

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Christopher Pyne said the Australian Government was supporting the establishment of the Growth Centre with $15.4 million over four years.

“This Growth Centre will focus on harnessing the sector’s existing competitive strengths, embracing innovation and putting research to work,” Mr Pyne said.

Adertisement

“The Growth Centre will work closely with researchers from universities, CSIRO and Cooperative Research Centres to build links with business and industry organisations. Importantly it will also promote industry-led research in priority areas by facilitating deeper engagement between industry and researchers.”

Minister for Energy, Resources and Northern Australia, Josh Frydenberg, said the Growth Centre would improve the position of Australia’s energy and resources sector for the next wave of investment.

“Australia’s energy and resources sectors make a vital contribution to the Australian economy. During this challenging time, the Growth Centre will drive collaboration and innovation, and direct research to industry needs, ultimately improving productivity to ensure Australia remains globally competitive,” Mr Frydenberg said.

The Growth Centre’s Perth headquarters are co-located with the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance (WAERA) at the Australian Resources Research Centre.

The Growth Centre, which plans to establish nodes in Adelaide and Brisbane, is chaired by experienced oil and gas industry executive, Ken Fitzpatrick, with a strong board and management team drawn from across the oil, gas, coal seam gas, coal and uranium industries and their service providers.

It is part of the Government’s $248 million Industry Growth Centres Initiative designed to boost Australian industry’s innovation, competitiveness and productivity by focusing on areas of competitive strength or strategic priority.

To find out more about the NERA Growth Centre, please visit: www.nera.org.au.