Rural and regional communities throughout Australia will reap the benefits of a potential $9.5 million partnership between education and industry announced today
The University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd Chairman David Crombie and Chairman of the Rangelands Australia Steering Committee John Stewart announced the establishment of Rangelands Australia.
The initiative embraces all aspects of rangeland management and will involve pastoralists, Aborigines, mining, tourism, defence, community groups, government agencies and research and teaching institutions.
"Rangelands Australia applies skills and knowledge to issues affecting the 75 per cent of Australia supporting 90 per cent of the country's cattle and sheep population, large mining and tourism projects and other industries, contributing around $200 million a year to the national economy," Professor Hay said.
A Centre of Excellence in rangeland management, education, training and research will be established at the University's Gatton campus, supporting a nationwide network of up to 25 Rangeland Centres at other universities and training institutions.
The nationwide network will also deliver on and off line education and training services and provide urgently needed specialist skills in rangeland management critical to the take up of best practice, profitability, sustainability and wellbeing of communities.
Rangelands Australia will also provide a focus for, and build on, the extensive training, education, research and strategic actions already undertaken by government agencies and training institutions.
The venture is initially being funded by The University of Queensland and Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd, allowing the establishment of a core group at UQ Gatton. Additional funding to develop the network will be sourced from agencies which will benefit from the output of Rangelands Australia.
A Professor of Rangeland Management will be appointed to be the Director of the Rangeland Management Institute and Coordinator of the Rangelands Australia Network. A Board of Management made up of stakeholders will oversee development and management.
Professor Hay said a strong initial focus of Rangelands Australia would be on adult education and short courses on all facets of rangelands management.
For further information, contact John Stewart on 07 3236 3335 or 0427167849 or Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications on 07 3365 1088 or 0413380012 or email us at: communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au
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