The McGowan Government has committed an additional $3.4 million to the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI), to continue support for collaborative research in the biodiversity sciences.
Science Minister Dave Kelly today announced an extension of funding to June 2023, bringing its total investment since the institute started in 2015 to $10.1 million.
The State Government funds WABSI to support research projects which protect, conserve and ensure the sustainable management of Western Australia's unique flora and fauna.
Mr Kelly also welcomed WABSI's new CEO, Professor Owen Nevin, an experienced conservation biologist and research leader with a track record of successfully bringing together industry, researchers and government.
WABSI's recent achievements include leading the successful bid for a $29.5 million Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME), announced in March.
The CRC TiME research aims to transform how mine sites are closed, to support prosperous and sustainable futures for surrounding regional communities and improve their local environments.
In partnership with the State Government, WABSI also conceptualised the Index of Biodiversity Surveys for Assessments (IBSA) which captures and consolidates the data from industry-funded biodiversity surveys and makes it publicly accessible.
The IBSA data supports the State Government's new Environment Online portal to help streamline environmental assessment processes under a $20 million investment from the WA Recovery Plan.
For more information, visit the WABSI website at https://wabsi.org.au
As stated by Science Minister Dave Kelly:
"The McGowan Government is pleased to commit a further $3.4 million in funding to WABSI to ensure our State's rich and unique biodiversity assets will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
"WA is home to one of the world's richest diversities of plant and animal life, including eight of Australia's 15 terrestrial biodiversity hotspots.
"It's crucial we invest in the understanding of our environment, as WA's biodiversity is one of the main drivers of our economy through tourism, mining and agriculture.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank former CEO, Peter Zurzolo, who from his appointment in 2016 successfully built and led WABSI in becoming an institution that is valued for its collaboration and creating enduring benefits for Western Australia."
