Albany: environmental energy capital of Australia?
Albany could be the environmental energy capital of Australia when it picks a focus for a potential science and technology park, according to a professor who visited the city last week.
Southern Cross University Professor and Regional University Network chair Professor Neal Ryan, along with Curtin University Professor Kerry Brown, met with Albany City councillors, staff and other stakeholders this week to discuss the potential expansion of University of WA Albany and the creation of a science and technology park.
The park concept, which Professor Ryan called an “innovation” park, was initially spearheaded by Councillor Ray Hammond and a potential site has been identified at Anson Road, next to the Great Southern Institute of Technology and Department of Agriculture.
Southern Cross University, based in regional New South Wales, has an innovation park, a hub of education and innovation-based companies.
“I think absolutely an innovation park could work in Albany,” Professor Ryan said.
He said each university with an innovation park had identified something unique to the area to specialise in, and therefore gained national credibility.
“The aspiration is not just to be good in the region, but to be a national centre that is famous for whatever you pick,” Professor Ryan said.
“It might well be that you say Albany is the environmental energy capital of Australia.”
City of Albany planning and development services executive director Dale Putland said potential expansions of UWA and the creation of an innovation park would be assisted by Anzac centenary commemorations, an opportunity for Albany to launch itself on the national and world stage.
“This is part of looking at ways the current university could expand over time,” he said.
“We have to pick the areas that have we a regional advantage in.
“Where are our great assets, what would people like to study if they came to Albany, (and) what would attract academics to come and focus on becoming very good in those areas of research and education?”
City consultant Chris Morrison said Albany could potentially specialise in research areas like renewable energy, wind power, wave power, agriculture and biodiversity.
