A picture of Dr Greg Timms with one of the sensor nodes monitoring water quality in Tasmania’s Derwent and Huon estuaries and D'Entrecasteaux channel region.

Dr Greg Timms with one of the sensor nodes monitoring water quality in Tasmania’s Derwent and Huon estuaries and D'Entrecasteaux channel region.

CSIRO’s Tasmanian ICT Centre opens

Reference: 08/205

The Hobart-based node of CSIRO’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Centre was officially opened this week.

5 November 2008

CSIRO’s Tasmanian ICT Centre is jointly funded by CSIRO and the Australian Government through the Intelligent Island Program, which is administered by the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Geoff Garrett, says the Centre is a $30 million investment in the continued development of Tasmania’s ICT sector – a move that will ultimately benefit all Australians.

“The Tasmanian ICT Centre is addressing national research priorities in areas such as energy and water use while at the same time building ICT capability in Tasmania,” Dr Garrett says.

“CSIRO values the strong culture of innovation among Tasmania’s small-to-medium-size ICT businesses and the opportunities that are provided for partnerships.

“We’re also keen on ensuring Australia has a highly trained ICT workforce. To this end, CSIRO’s Tasmanian ICT Centre is working with the University of Tasmania, which is both committed to producing quality ICT graduates and has a unique innovation program.”

“The Tasmanian ICT Centre is addressing national research priorities in areas such as energy and water use while at the same time building ICT capability in Tasmania.”

Dr Geoff Garrett, CSIRO Chief Executive

Centre CEO, Dr Stephen Giugni, says the strengths of the Tasmanian economy are strongly aligned with CSIRO’s National Research Flagships program.

“This is particularly evident in terms of the priority research project areas the new Centre is focusing on – coasts, energy, water, aquaculture and health,” Dr Giugni says.

“One of these Flagship research projects supports sustainable management of the Derwent and Huon estuaries and D’Entrecasteaux Channel, which feature pristine wilderness at one end, heavy industry at the other and booming tourism and aquaculture industries in between.

“We are monitoring a range of coastal marine parameters to better understand this complex ecosystem using a network of underwater sensors which employ a communications technology (FLECK) developed by CSIRO and are being made by Tasmania’s The Powercom Group.”

Media are invited to attend:

What: Launch of CSIRO’s Tasmanian ICT Centre. Speakers include: Dr Garrett and The Powercom Group’s Chairman, Phillip Tompson

Where: CSIRO’s Battery Point labs, Castray Esplanade, Hobart

When: 11.00am Thursday 6 November 2008.

Download images at: CSIRO's Tasmanian ICT Centre opens.

Read more media releases in our Media section.

ADDENDUM: 5 NOVEMBER 2008

Please note the following:

Due to Premier Bartlett’s inability to attend the event, the new Centre will now be opened by the Hon Doug Parkinson MLC, Leader of the Government in the Upper House.