WA Tropical Research Initiative launched

Murdoch University has launched a new Western Australian Tropical Research Initiative (WATRI) to bring together its international project specialists to partner with governments and industry to preserve and sustainably develop the state's tropical north.

WATRI will build on Murdoch's longstanding work in tropical regions around the world and in sub-sahara Africa with expertise in agriculture, minerals, marine science, biosecurity, sociology, healthcare, medicine, education, indigenous expertise, eco-tourism, environmental science, ecology and climatology.

Murdoch University has already received strong expressions of interest in WATRI from WA departments and non government organisations.

Murdoch University Research Director Professor David Doepel is meeting with representatives of the Northern Territory Government this month to discuss partnership opportunities and travelled to Townsville last week to participate in a national workshop on tropical Australia.

Professor Doepel said he was excited about the opportunity for collaboration with the NT and Queensland stakeholders.

“Queensland is to be applauded for organising the meeting in Townsville and bringing together so many prominent researchers focused on the tropics,” Professor Doepel said.

Murdoch's sustainable agriculture expert specialising in Asia, Dr Richard Bell (pictured), will be WATRI's Interim Director.

"An increasing focus on the need to adapt to climate change, combined with the many development issues in northern WA have spurred Murdoch to task its tropical expertise onto this vital area of the state," Dr Bell said.

"Murdoch has a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research on such complex issues, and recent efforts to develop the Kimberley are bringing many environmental and social issues to the fore."