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MURDOCH’S new UNEP Waalitj (Wedge Tailed Eagle) Environmental Technology Centre will enable WA to play a major role in the development and application of environmental technology, according to Centre Director, Professor Goen Ho.The Asia Pacific UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) Centre, launched recently by the Premier Geoff Gallop, should see WA lead Australia in the field of environmental technology - the fastest growing sector of the global economy. Professor Ho said Murdoch’s Environmental Technology Centre was the first of four global UNEP co-operation centres, with others based in Africa, Latin America and West Asia. In a significant coup, Murdoch beat a strong field of applicants from around the South Pacific, and challenges from several Australian states. “The UN will invest $1.2 million in the Centre, with the State Government putting in $600,000, Murdoch University $150,000 and Alcoa $50,000,” said Professor Ho. He said the environmental technology industry was currently worth around $8 billion in Australia - a figure that was increasing by about 10 per cent a year. “By 2011 the industry should be worth around $40 billion,” said Professor Ho. The State should reap considerable benefits from the UNEP Centre’s location. “More than 50 environmental technologies have already been used in building Murdoch’s existing Environmental Technology Centre,” said Professor Ho. He said with the growing need for sustainability in today’s world, expanding cities needed sustainable water supplies, energy and housing and sanitation systems. “The environmental technology boom should also create many jobs and provide WA firms with better access to UN funding.” |
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Editor: Pepi Smyth
Produced by the ">Office
of Community Relations, Murdoch University |
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