Launched today by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country (‘Healing Country’) builds a robust science-business interface linking Indigenous Australians with businesses in the revegetation of damaged lands.
With an estimated two thirds of Australia’s agricultural land in a degraded state – a loss of $1.5 billion annually – Ms Zielke said that the research outcomes of this ARC Training Centre will help develop an enduring economy in the ecological restoration of Country that provides Indigenous-led solutions and contributes to improving ‘Closing the Gap’ outcomes.
Across three core themes – restoration, socioeconomics, eco-health – Healing Country aims to reconnect communities to healthy landscapes creating ongoing financial independence through the carbon economy, honey production, seed supply, cultural species development and restoration services.
“I am pleased to see that through partnership with industry, Healing Country will contribute to the emerging Australian Restoration Economy, where economic growth is linked to renewing and reconnecting the natural, built, and socioeconomic environments, and generate new opportunities.”
“Indigenous communities are uniquely placed to seize these opportunities to generate enduring livelihoods and transform structural inequalities in regional and remote Australia,” Ms Zielke said.
ARC Training Centres are funded under the ARC’s Industrial Transformation Research Program. Training Centres, such as Healing Country, are fundamental in increasing collaboration between Australia’s most innovative researchers and industries. This collaboration with future Indigenous practitioners and emerging leaders will continue to deliver cost-effective restoration business solutions at the scale and diversity required to service future demand.
“By training the next generation of researchers, ARC Training Centres strengthen the capabilities of industry and research end-users in identified areas of importance. I’m thrilled to note that, led by Curtin University, Healing Country is expected to attract 15 students, 19 researchers, and 6 research fellows,” Ms Zielke said.
The ARC is investing $4.9 million over 5 years to the ARC Training Centre for Healing Country under the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program.
