Throughout 2014–15 the Office of Science consulted broadly with stakeholders, including industry, universities and government, to identify significant research and innovation activities underway across Western Australia. The Office continued to lead the Government’s involvement in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, managed a total of 32 State Government science investments (totalling more than $20 million for the year), delivered initiatives that raised the profile of science in the State and supported the activities of the Chief Scientist of Western Australia. Major achievements Developed and produced ‘A Science Statement for Western Australia’, launched by the Premier in April 2015. The Science Statement outlines five science priority areas based on the State’s comparative advantages: mining and energy; medicine and health; agriculture and food; biodiversity and marine science; and radio astronomy. The Science Statement also identifies areas of opportunity that cut across each of the priorities: education and engagement initiatives; data intensive science; water science; and effective collaboration. Continued to lead the involvement in the SKA project: Established the State’s position on key issues including land tenure through consultation and coordination with State Government agencies Influenced the ongoing development of national and international SKA policies and governance instruments to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of the project to the State Established a new funding agreement for the International Centre for Astronomy Research (ICRAR) comprising $26 million over five years from 15 Supported the Premier in welcoming 300 scientists and engineers across 15 countries to the international SKA Engineering Conference held in Fremantle in September 2014 Secured the continuation of State funding support for the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, comprising $21.6 million over five years commencing in 2016–17 Continued to manage research activities the $12 million Kimberley Marine Science Research Programme being delivered by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, to support the objectives of the $81.5 million Kimberley Marine Science and Conservation Strategy Participated in the Project Steering that oversaw the development of the Blueprint for Marine Science 2050, an independent and objective assessment of end-user priorities for future marine research in Western Australia Progressed initiatives to establish a new institute that will align and coordinate Western Australia’s significant terrestrial biodiversity knowledge and research activity, to ensure that funding and research effort are prioritised towards the areas of greatest conservation need and that responsible decisions are being made around the economic development of the State Continued to manage the State’s investment in Scitech, including supporting the planning for Scitech’s new home
Throughout 2014–15 the Office of Science consulted broadly with stakeholders, including industry, universities and government, to identify significant research and innovation activities underway across Western Australia. The Office continued to lead the Government’s involvement in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, managed a total of 32 State Government science investments (totalling more than $20 million for the year), delivered initiatives that raised the profile of science in the State and supported the activities of the Chief Scientist of Western Australia. Major achievements Developed and produced ‘A Science Statement for Western Australia’, launched by the Premier in April 2015. The Science Statement outlines five science priority areas based on the State’s comparative advantages: mining and energy; medicine and health; agriculture and food; biodiversity and marine science; and radio astronomy. The Science Statement also identifies areas of opportunity that cut across each of the priorities: education and engagement initiatives; data intensive science; water science; and effective collaboration. Continued to lead the involvement in the SKA project: Established the State’s position on key issues including land tenure through consultation and coordination with State Government agencies Influenced the ongoing development of national and international SKA policies and governance instruments to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of the project to the State Established a new funding agreement for the International Centre for Astronomy Research (ICRAR) comprising $26 million over five years from Supported the Premier in welcoming 300 scientists and engineers across 15 countries to the international SKA Engineering Conference held in Fremantle in September 2014 Secured the continuation of State funding support for the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, comprising $21.6 million over five years commencing in 2016–17 Continued to manage research activities the $12 million Kimberley Marine Science Research Programme being delivered by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution, to support the objectives of the $81.5 million Kimberley Marine Science and Conservation Strategy Participated in the Project Steering that oversaw the development of the Blueprint for Marine Science 2050, an independent and objective assessment of end-user priorities for future marine research in Western Australia Progressed initiatives to establish a new institute that will align and coordinate Western Australia’s significant terrestrial biodiversity knowledge and research activity, to ensure that funding and research effort are prioritised towards the areas of greatest conservation need and that responsible decisions are being made around the economic development of the State Continued to manage the State’s investment in Scitech, including supporting the planning for Scitech’s new home 15
DPC-Annual-Report-2014-15.docx