$25 million for national desal centre at Murdoch Uni

Murdoch University has been awarded $20 million by the federal government to host Australia’s new National Centre of Excellence in Desalination. The federal funding over five years was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Federal Member for Brand, Gary Gray. It will be topped up by an extra $5 million from the Western Australian state government.

The WA-based centre, based at Murdoch’s Rockingham campus, will bring together the country’s leading desalination and water science research organisations.

Murdoch University now becomes an integral part of the federal government’s 10-year $12.9 billion Water for the Future strategy which recognises the vital importance of developing world-class research to address current and future demand for water in Australia.

Murdoch University Vice Chancellor Professor John Yovich said the new centre would draw together the nation’s top scientists in desalination to provide solutions to the water crisis and build on Murdoch’s historical research strengths in renewable energy, water and environmental sciences.

“Murdoch University is excited to lead and coordinate national and international research collaborations in energy-efficient desalination technology for use in Australia’s unique circumstances and indeed rural, city and industrial locations around the world,” Professor Yovich said.

“This important new national research hub at Murdoch will offer energy-saving solutions to safeguard future water supplies for both consumers and industry, and these new technologies will have widespread application for the benefit of all Australians.”