Marine centre a boost for education and research on the Coast

Mr Kelly made the announcement along with Federal Member for Robertson, Belinda Neal on the site of the old tourist information centre. The announcement follows an earlier announcement in May by Ms Neal that the Centre would be located in Terrigal as a home for the Marine Discovery Centre to boost local education and research.

Director of the University of Newcastle’s research group for Sustainable Use of Coasts and Catchments, Associate Professor Bill Gladstone said the Centre was a great opportunity for the Central Coast and will further build on the University’s national and international reputation in marine research.

The Marine Discovery Centre will be recognised as a Centre of Excellence in research and education in temperate environments and will draw significant research capacity and students to the Central Coast. Assoc Prof Gladstone said, “The Centre will be a fantastic asset for these endeavours. It will provide a unique field-study location for domestic and overseas students and visitors, and demonstrate best environmental practice in all of its activities.”Assoc Prof Gladstone and his colleagues in the Faculty of Science and Information Technology are researching the biology of marine and estuarine organisms, the ecology of coastal lagoons, and the social impacts of marine resource management.

The concept of a marine centre based on the Central Coast has been in development for more than five years. In 2006, a working group was formed involving the Community Environment Network; the University of Newcastle; Federal, State and Local Government, local businesses and tourism operators. Maintenance works are currently underway at the site with the Marine Discovery Centre expected to open to the public in December 2009.

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