Why invest in large infrastructure?

Increasingly, researchers need access to world-class facilities and equipment to compete effectively in the global environment. Many countries have schemes for investing in infrastructure in strategic areas of research in order to maintain their global competitiveness. New Zealand’s investment in the Australian Synchrotron ensures that our researchers can undertake leading edge research and development using specialised technology.

Why invest in the Australian Synchrotron?

The Australian Synchrotron is the first synchrotron to be built in the southern hemisphere. A facility so close will offer huge savings in research access and logistics.

The Australian facility is a unique opportunity for New Zealand researchers to gain more secure access to a synchrotron, literally “across the ditch”. As a foundation investor, New Zealand will have a say in the ongoing strategic direction of the facility as well as securing specific access rights. There will also be the opportunity to place scientists at the facility.

The Australian Synchrotron is a third generation synchrotron. The total cost of construction is approximately AUD$206 million, the majority of which is being funded by the Victorian State Government. The facility is located at a site near Monash University.

You can find out more about the Australian Synchrotron and its construction at the Australian Synchrotron website.

Further strengthening our partnering with Australia

New Zealand’s Science and Technology relationship with Australia is strong with collaborative links developing all the time. For example:
this year New Zealand and Australia signed a memorandum of understanding committing to the joint promotion of Australia and New Zealand biotechnology on 1 July 2004 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise launched an Australia New Zealand Biotech Partnership Fund on the same day ensis, a joint venture between Forest Research and CSIRO, was established to strengthen the competitiveness and research capacity of the Australasian forest, wood and paper industries.

Investing in the Australian Synchrotron will encourage further opportunities for collaboration between New Zealand and Australian researchers associated with the synchrotron.