Summary

This report summarises the research activities and achievements of the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia up to and including 30 June 2019.

It is possible figures and project participants may change from the time this document was written and published.

Highlights

• As at the end of June 2019, we had contracted 28 projects leveraging an additional $15.6 million in project co-contributions, including in-kind and cash.
• Six industry situational analysis studies commenced in 2018 and three of these will be completed by the end of 2019.
• The CRCNA, Austrade, and PwC came together to develop a research plan focused on identifying a range of potential investors, investment opportunities and identify key policies to de-risk the investment pathway for new agricultural development in northern Australia.
• CRCNA Board travelled to Singapore and met with several key organisations undertaking research and looking to do business in Australia.  Chair Sheriden Morris addressed a group of JCU Singapore alumni at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence.
• Facilitated the formation of the North Queensland Agricultural Supply Chain Alliance which includes representatives from Townsville Enterprise, Advance Cairns, Greater Whitsunday Alliance, Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Central Queensland University.
• An in-kind partnership with the new Future Food Systems CRC to ensure collaboration and alignment across the sector, and northern Australian interests considered.
• An informal agreement with the Digital Health CRC to work strategically across the health sector, identify areas for collaboration and communication to avoid duplication of research.
• An agreement with Food Innovation Australia (FIAL) to continue working towards a formalised memorandum of understanding which outlines opportunities to collaborate, and share knowledge and resources to achieve common goals and identify areas for further investment.