Peter McGauran MP, Australian Government Minister for Science

Media Release

BIOTECHNOLOGY BENEFITS OUR ENVIRONMENT

30 October 2003

A new $58 million research centre will study the destructive microbes which cause disease and contaminate our environment.

The Environmental Biotechnology Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is supported by $19.5 million from the Australian Government and brings together university and industry partners to carry out research that will improve Australia’s environmental processes and reduce the amount of waste in our community.

Launching the CRC today, Australian Government Science Minister Peter McGauran said the CRC will look at products that control biofilms in water, waste water and water based systems.

“A biofilm is a community of micro organisms attached to a solid surface which cost our community millions of dollars each year in lost industrial productivity through both product and capital equipment damage,” Mr McGauran said.

“Biofilms are notorious for causing pipe plugging, corrosion and water contamination, for example.

“These microscopic agents are also responsible for many medical conditions including acute ear infections, cystic fibrosis, and Legionnaire's disease.

“The Environmental Biotechnology CRC will build on the work of the previous CRC for Waste Management and Pollution Control,” Mr McGauran added.

“The CRC will use leading edge biotechnology to improve existing environmental processes as well as produce new bioengineering technologies.

“Many industries will benefit from this research, including the multibillion-dollar meat and livestock industries, water, wastewater and solid waste industries, and chemical, oil-processing and food industries,” Mr McGauran concluded.

Further information on the CRC Programme can be found at http://www.crc.gov.au/

Further information:
Jodie Naismith (Minister McGauran’s office) 03 9639 3199 or 0419 622 915