Funding for Scitech Discovery Centre to be increased annually

28/7/98

The future of the Scitech Discovery Centre looks brighter than ever with a State Government decision to increase funding each year for the next five years.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said more than 2.5 million people had visited Scitech since it opened in 1988, and another three million had seen its travelling exhibits.

Mr Cowan said the hi-tech displays of gruesome, fun and fantastic science had helped revolutionise public perceptions of science and technology. One survey suggested Scitech had influenced a quarter of tertiary science and engineering students in their career choice.

Scitech is an independent not-for-profit organisation but the State Government pays around half its running costs. This included $2.3 million contributed this financial year, and Mr Cowan said that under the new funding agreement, that amount would rise progressively from $2.45 million in 1998-99 to reach $2.7 million by 2003.

"Scitech fulfils an important need in our increasingly hi-tech world," he said.

"It not only stimulates community interest, but provides specific education programs for both students and teachers."

Almost 400,000 students from pre-primary to tertiary level had experienced Scitech's two-hour visit program, while around 1200 teachers had undertaken Scitech's professional development or in-house courses.

Mr Cowan said Scitech had been located in rented premises at the City West shopping centre since its inception, but Scitech had long held the view that the premises were not ideally located to attract casual visitors or the tourist market.

"In June 1997, I chaired a Ministerial Committee which established a working party to determine the feasibility of converting the East Perth Power Station into a major Science and Technology Centre, incorporating Scitech, the World of Energy and a Mining and Petroleum Industry Expo," he said.

"The working party has completed its investigation and concludes that the project is feasible, subject to the provision of significant initial capital support from the Commonwealth Government.

Mr Cowan said a Commonwealth decision was expected later this year.

There was also interest in exploring the suitability of the old Swan Brewery site as a new home for Scitech, he said.

Media contact: Julie Cole 9222-9595