Gravity Discovery Centre funding

Science and Innovation Minister Bill Marmion has announced interim funding to allow the Gravity Discovery Centre to review its operations and find new long-term financial support.

"The Gravity Discovery Centre is a popular WA science education facility which I have supported for many years and I want to see it continue to succeed," Mr Marmion said.

"The centre has a dedicated board, committed staff and great community support.  But without a realistic business plan and an efficient operation, no commercial venture can succeed."

For this reason the Department of Commerce is commissioning and funding an independent report that will identify areas for operational improvement and appropriate funding sources to help secure the centre's future viability. 

The report will be made available to the centre's board so they can use it to improve operations, management and business linkages and is due for completion by the end of September.

"As a sign of our good faith, I am approving further interim funding of $178,000 to the centre while the independent report is being prepared," the Minister said.

"This funding extends through until the end of December this year and will ensure the centre remains open to the public while the report is concluded and the board considers the report's recommendations.

"Science funding always involves tough decisions prioritising between worthy projects, especially at a time when the State Government is committing substantial funding to the SKA project."