The National Centre for Coasts, Environment and Climate (NCCEC) at Point Nepean is back on track with a joint funding arrangement reached between Monash University and the University of Melbourne to fill the funding deficit after the Albanese Labor Government ripped $8million out of the project last year.
Federal Member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie MP, was elated that the universities had decided to further strengthen their working relationship by contributing the remaining funding themselves.
“I am thrilled that despite the challenges presented after the removal of funding by the Albanese Government, this enormously important project is back on track”, Ms McKenzie said.
“The Coalition fully supported this project with $25million committed in 2019 and I will support it in any way I can to ensure its completion”.
The field station, to be jointly operated by Monash University and the University of Melbourne, is expected to enhance Victoria’s standing as a hub for climate-related research and education to deliver outcomes of global significance.
Focus areas include coastal environments, climate change, history and culture, the arts, and community engagement. It will be the first higher education research institute on the Mornington Peninsula.
It will conduct research into dune management, coastal erosion and inundation, marine ecosystem preservation, pollution control, biodiversity conservation to provide opportunities to secure threatened flora and fauna, habitat restoration and management of Indigenous and settler heritage sites at risk of sea-level rise.
Ms McKenzie praised the universities on their perseverance and hard work to keep the project alive.
“I am deeply thankful to the teams at Monash University and the University of Melbourne for the incredible amount of work, time and money invested into the Field Station and the NCCEC”, Ms McKenzie said.
“They should be applauded for their dedication to deliver this world class interdisciplinary research and education facility on the Mornington Peninsula.”
ENDS.
