Consultants appointed for design and construction of research centre

18/3/98

Establishment of a $40 million National Centre for Petroleum and Mineral Resources Research in Perth has moved a step closer with the appointment of consultants to provide all professional consultant services for the design, documentation and construction of the centre.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said the appointment of Christou, Casella and Jee Pty Ltd had been approved by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments.

The national centre, to be located at Technology Park, Bentley, would provide a focal point for research collaboration between CSIRO, co-operative research centres, universities, government agencies, resource companies and associated technology suppliers and providers.

It is expected to be completed by mid-2000.

Mr Cowan said the concentration of expertise at the centre would encourage other technology-based companies to locate their operations to WA, enhancing the prospects for research collaboration, technology transfer and the creation of new business opportunities and jobs.

"It will ensure WA has the appropriate research infrastructure to maintain the competitiveness and technological edge of its resources industries into the next century," he said.

The national centre would be a leading facility in petroleum research and engineering in the region and a major node of CSIRO's exploration and mining research capability. It would bring together world class scientific and engineering research groups to work closely with the petroleum and minerals industries.

Media contact: Peter Jackson (08) 9222 9595