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$3 million for desalination research

$3 million for desalination research

Australia’s first desalination research centre has opened its doors at Murdoch University’s Rockingham campus with the help of a $3million grant from the WA State Government.

The investment will help design, establish and operate a range of testing facilities of value to industry and research.

Science and Innovation Minister Bill Marmion said the National Centre of Excellence in Desalination would research technologies to directly benefit Western Australia’s two desalination facilities and others throughout the world.

“We live in a world where we continue to strive for new and better ways of doing things and desalination is no different,” Mr Marmion said.

“The National Centre of Excellence in Desalination will investigate new desalination technologies and expand existing practices to ensure plants work as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

The Minister said the State Government’s $3million grant illustrated its work to push the boundaries of research and development.

“Water is a finite and precious resource in limited supply in WA. New technologies developed will be particularly valuable for regional communities,” he said.

“The State Government acted promptly to address supply issues by constructing two desalination plants, one in Kwinana, the nation’s first facility purpose built to supply a capital city, and another in the South-West.

“This investment will help WA lead the way in desalination research, and securing our future, while lifting our global research profile.”