16-12-2024
NSW Government to unleash the full potential of Tech Central
The NSW Government has unveiled a plan to enhance the Tech Central Innovation District, Australia's largest tech hub, located in Sydney's CBD. This six square kilometre area hosts major tech companies and research institutes. The new strategy aims to empower the innovation ecosystem, support housing, and boost the local economy. Key initiatives include relocating the Sydney Startup Hub to Tech Central in October 2025, fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs and universities. Investment NSW will lead efforts to attract investment and align government programs with local needs, ensuring ongoing growth in critical sectors.
https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/nsw-government-to-unleash-the-full-potential-of-tech-central/
9-12-2024
New mobile treatment system to remove PFAS (Per polyfluoroalkyl and substances) from drinking water after 'forever chemicals' found in Blue Mountains dams
Residents of the Blue Mountains are concerned that a $3.5 million filtration system being installed at a PFAS hotspot has come too late. The state government is addressing PFAS contamination in drinking water, linked to health issues like cancer, at the Cascade Water Filtration Plant, which serves 41,000 homes. Recent tests revealed PFAS levels above safe limits, prompting the upgrade of the plant to include advanced treatment technology. WaterNSW has also shut two dams supplying the plant due to high PFAS levels.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-03/multi-million-pfas-mobile-system-nsw-cascade-water-plant/104674212
02/12/2024
Genics: Giving shrimp a clean bill of health in India
Genics, the company spun off from CSIRO to commercialize the technology, is now collaborating with the Australian Government to expand its reach across India and globally. A shrimp pathogen detection system developed by CSIRO is assisting farmers in enhancing the health, yield, and sustainability of their operations. Genics is a global leader in pathogen detection and biosecurity solutions. The company’s ultra-sensitive Shrimp MultiPath™ 2.0 detects 18 pathogens with a single test, weeks before animals show signs of disease. By helping farmers detect pathogens or disease early in the production cycle, they can make smart management decisions that protect their stock and maximise farm output.
https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/news-and-analysis/news/genics-giving-shrimp-a-clean-bill-of-health-in-india
29 September 2024
Quad Program offers new funding for clean energy supply chain innovation
The Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program will open for applications in November 2024, offering up to A$25 million in grants for joint projects between Australia and Indo-Pacific partners to enhance solar, hydrogen, and battery supply chains. Announced at the recent Quad Leaders Summit, the program aims to fund R&D and feasibility studies to create diverse supply chains, with a total commitment of A$50 million. Grants will range from A$100,000 to A$2.5 million and require collaboration between Australian and Indo-Pacific organizations, with encouragement for partnerships with the U.S., India, or Japan. The focus includes various supply chain stages, such as processing and recycling. A second funding round is anticipated in late 2025.
https://www.energyinnovation.net.au/article/quad-program-offers-new-funding-for-clean-energy-supply-chain-innovation
$2.1 million to help boost cancer research in NSW
The NSW Government announced a $2.1 million research grant to support cancer researchers, including Professors Georgina Long AO and Paul Timpson. Professor Long's team received nearly $700,000 for an imaging system to aid cancer diagnosis and treatment, while Professor Timpson's team was awarded almost $700,000 for a system to gain insights into cell interactions and treatment responses for various cancers. Additionally, three clinical trial grants of $250,000 each were funded to improve access to trials for underrepresented populations. The NSW Government has invested over $470 million in cancer research in the past 20 years.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20240924_00.aspx
8 September 2024
AI-powered robots revolutionise Asian grocery deliveries in Australia
Umall, the leading online Asian grocery platform in Australia, has recently implemented AI-powered robotic sorting technology, making it the first online grocery retailer in the country to do so. The new system, which is now operational at Umall's fulfilment centre in Sydney, aims to enhance the logistics of online grocery operations in the growing Asian grocery sector, as stated in Umall's media release. Umall emphasizes its commitment to providing the best possible service to customers who rely on them for their Asian grocery needs.
https://www.australianmanufacturing.com.au/ai-powered-robots-revolutionise-asian-grocery-deliveries-in-australia/
3/09/2024
New scorecard highlights strengths and opportunities for NSW innovation sector
The 2024 Scorecard by the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council compares NSW with domestic and international jurisdictions using various data sources and metrics to identify opportunities for the state to improve. According to the report card, NSW surpasses the rest of the nation in creating new startup and spinout companies from universities and research institutes, and leads Canada, Germany, and Japan in venture capital investment as a share of Gross State Product (GSP) or Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/new-scorecard-highlights-strengths-and-opportunities-for-nsw-innovation-sector/
22-07-2024
Advanced Energy efficient Computing cluster speeds up science by CISRO Sydney.
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has collaborated with Dell Technologies to develop a high-performance computer (HPC) system called Virga. This system, built on advanced Dell PowerEdge XE9640 servers, is the first of its kind in Australia and is designed to optimize artificial intelligence (AI) workflows while also being power-efficient through direct liquid cooling. The aim is to accelerate scientific discoveries and contribute to the growth of Australia’s industry and economy.
https://australianmanufacturingnews.com/5351-2/
23 April 2024
NSW is now prioritizing industry and innovation by allocating 3% towards R&D
The New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, has announced that the functions of industry, innovation, trade, and investment will be returning to the center of government through the transfer of Investment NSW to the Premier’s Department. This move aims to create a more accessible entry point for industry, investors, and entrepreneurs to engage in major government priorities and to ensure seamless coordination across government, according to Minns.
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/towards-3-rd-why-is-australias-national-rd-effort-falling
15th May 2024
NSW is leading in innovation
NSW boasts Australia's strongest startup ecosystem, leading universities, and a prime opportunity to attract significant new investments, as per the latest NSW Innovation and Productivity Scorecard. Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology Alister Henskens highlighted that the scorecard assesses NSW's performance in research, collaboration, skills, enterprise, growth, productivity, and the transition to a net-zero economy. Henskens emphasized that NSW's innovation ecosystem is top-notch and competitive globally, with a focus on boosting productivity, economic growth, and job creation through innovation initiatives.
https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/innovation/nsw-innovation-and-productivity-council/news-and-media/2022/04/27/nsw-top-of-the-table-for-innovation/
27 May 2024
CSIRO NSW has opened an innovation program to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the clean energy sector
CSIRO, NSW, Australia's national science agency, is inviting small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on clean energy solutions to apply for the latest 'Innovate to Grow' program. Since its launch in 2020, the program has provided over 600 SMEs with knowledge and tools to explore research and development (R&D) opportunities, as well as to develop actionable R&D business and funding plans. CSIRO has now partnered with Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) to deliver the new 'Innovate to Grow: Clean Energy' program. This free online program will offer Australian SMEs a supportive environment with expert facilitators, experienced researchers, and self-paced deliverables to guide successful applicants through their technical or business challenges.
https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2024/May/Innovate-to-Grow-CSIRO-opens-innovation-program-to-SMEs-in-clean-energy
NSW is leading in innovation
NSW boasts Australia's strongest startup ecosystem, leading universities, and a prime opportunity to attract significant new investments, as per the latest NSW Innovation and Productivity Scorecard. Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology Alister Henskens highlighted that the scorecard assesses NSW's performance in research, collaboration, skills, enterprise, growth, productivity, and the transition to a net-zero economy. Henskens emphasized that NSW's innovation ecosystem is top-notch and competitive globally, with a focus on boosting productivity, economic growth, and job creation through innovation initiatives.
https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/innovation/nsw-innovation-and-productivity-council/news-and-media/2022/04/27/nsw-top-of-the-table-for-innovation/
