Farmers get set to bid for funding
FARMERS across North Queensland have already begun preliminary research on new projects in a bid to secure grants from the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia.
Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan announced this week that applications were open for early funding as part of the Townsville- based research facility.
An injection of $ 75 million in funding has been allocated to be spent over the next decade. Businesses have been encouraged to apply for grants of up to $ 3 million.
The CRC will focus on the future of northern Australia and areas such as horticulture and tropical health.
Growcom innovation officer Steve Tiley said up to four research applications from farming businessses were ready to be submitted.
“We need a lot of research about how we can reduce some of the labour in regions and around how can we grow our quality food better with less water,” he said.
Townsville’s John Bearne, a CRC board member, said there were a number of health aspects that could be researched.
“We have some fairly strong tropical diseases that need some urgent attention,” Mr Bearne said. “We have lifestyle disease as well.”
Mr Bearne, who chaired the Townsville Hospital and Health Service board for four years, said tuberculosis was a major concern.
CRC chairwoman Cairns businesswoman Sheridan Morris said she was excited for the chance to draw foreign investment into the region.
“We will look to see how we can populate the north of Australia without making the errors they’ve made down south,” she said.