❓ Question regarding the Albany Wave Energy Research Centre's funding, job creation, and research focus following the failure of the Albany Wave Energy Project. The Minister's response details job numbers, research program adjustments, and funding disbursement.

AnsweredQoN 4947Legislative Assembly

Asked

21 March 2019

Member

Portfolio

Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Albany Wave Energy Research Centre funded with $3.75m of Government funds and ask: (a) Will the Minister table the Financial Assistance Agreement for the project: (i) If no, why not; (b) Has the Financial Assistance Agreement changed since it was signed following the funding announcement of the project: (i) If yes, what has changed; (c) How many jobs has this project delivered in total; (d) How many jobs has this project delivered in Albany; (e) Can the Minister confirm (as listed on the UWA website) that, of the three main research programs undertaken by the centre, two have a direct relationship with the now failed Albany Wave Energy Project: (i) If indeed this is the case, what changes is the Minister expecting to make to the funding brief for the centre; and (f) Has UWA been given the funds for the centre?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

8 May 2019

Responded by

Minister representing the Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade

Response time

8 days

(a) and (b) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is currently working with the Recipient on a variation to the Financial Assistance Agreement (FAA) to reflect the changed circumstances. (c) The Wave Energy Research Centre (WERC) has directly created six jobs (5.2 FTE). The WERC has also attracted four PhD students working directly on the research programs undertaken by the Centre, with another two students currently receiving their offers. (d) Four of the six jobs are based in Albany, with an additional Albany-based job to be created and two PhD students due to relocate to Albany in the coming months. (e) All of the research programs undertaken by the Wave Energy Research Centre were connected to a degree with the former Albany Wave Energy Technology Development Project, to characterise the Torbay wave and seabed conditions in preparation of the Project. (i) The majority of the research activities that were directly related to the Albany Wave Energy Technology Development Project have already been completed and now exist as permanent publicly available knowledge that can be used by other developers. A small number of outstanding tasks are directly affected by the termination, and the Department is working with the Recipient to agree an alternative scope for these tasks which will produce the best outcome for Albany and for the industry. All other research activities will remain unchanged and will continue to benefit the wave energy and wider marine renewable energy industry. (f) Disbursements are currently being processed by the Department.

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