ROCKY POINT PRAWN FARM

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The Collaborative Industry Venture (CIV) program, which was launched in February this year, awards funding to public and private sector organisations enabling them to undertake industry-related research and development for commercialisation purposes.

"They are designed to produce new industries which will provide new jobs for Queenslanders.

"This first round of funding is being awarded to three collaborations proposing major commercial developments to benefit the export, construction and innovation sectors within Queensland," said Mr Beattie.

"The successful projects aim to:
· Use fibre composites to revolutionise bridge building;
· Establish a Centre for Intellectual Property to make Queensland industry and government immediately aware of new and emerging intellectual property issues;
· Create a new high value export industry in Queensland from a Soft Shell Crab Development Venture.

"The winners are the University of Southern Queensland, Griffith University and the Department of Primary Industries.

"We need innovative thinking to develop smart new industries.

"The three successful CIV funded collaborations highlight the State's capabilities in world-class research and development."

The University of Southern Queensland's Fibre Composite Design and Development project aims to develop and extend the emerging technology of structural fibre composites which are set to enhance the construction sector globally over the next 5 years.

It is anticipated the benefits arising from this project will include the production of new materials which have wide ranging commercial applications such as railway sleepers and bridges.

In addition this project will lead to the transfer of state of the art engineering and manufacturing technology into the construction industry.

Griffith University's CIV project aims to establish a Centre for Intellectual Property providing timely advice to Queensland industry and government on new and emerging intellectual property issues.

The creation of this Centre will enhance the State's smart infrastructure through the development of partnerships with institutional providers, business and industry and will lead to a greater recognition of the significance of Intellectual Property among Queensland businesses.

The Department of Primary Industries' Soft Shell Crab Development Venture aims to commercialise production-oriented soft-shell crab research through establishing a sustainable and internationally competitive soft-shell crab industry in Queensland based on world first technology.

This project will develop a new high value export industry in Queensland, based on reproduction technology work done at the Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre.

Under the CIV program, State Government support up to $200,000 is available to eligible applicants to assist with the establishment of collaborative industry ventures.

The first round successful applications have been approved subject to satisfactory negotiation of contracts, milestones and terms of conditions

May 3, 2001.