AARNet is proud to be a project partner supporting new projects in water management, aquaculture and marine science launched by Deakin University and the Victorian Government. Other project partners are City of Greater Geelong and Barwon Water. These projects are designed to enhance Deakin’s existing research capabilities and facilities while creating local jobs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said the projects reflected Deakin’s focus on sustainability and commitment to preserve and enhance natural environments.

“This is a partnership approach to investing in projects that will deliver lasting benefits to our Victorian communities as well leveraging that success across the country as we bring to life our aspiration for a sustainable future,” he said.

One of the projects, delivered in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, will see AARNet build optical fibre out to the Queenscliff Marine Science Centre to connect the centre to the AARNet network. This means that other organisations in the Bellarine Peninsula with a research and education mission will also be able to access AARNet’s ultra high-speed network and services for research and education, including the City of Greater Geelong, primary schools, secondary schools, libraries and community hubs.

An upgrade of the teaching and research laboratories and sea water facilities are also part of the Marine Science Centre project and together with the AARNet fibre optic network will help to establish the Centre as the flagship site for the Deakin Marine Science research strategy and the Bachelor of Marine Science.

Other aquatic projects launched include the AquAFI Hub, a state-of-the-art aquaculture research innovation centre based at Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus, and the Integrated Water Management Plan, which will explore the benefits or alternate water sources that are fit-for-purpose.

The projects are receiving $6million from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF), which was developed by the Andrew’s government in response to the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector.

The unprecedented $350 million VHESIF is supporting universities with capital works, research infrastructure projects and applied research focused on boosting Victoria’s productivity and economy as the state recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

AARNet’s involvement is a great example of how AARNet partners with its shareholder university customers, state governments and local councils to improve network infrastructure and connectivity options for organisations with a research and education mission in regional Australia.

Read the Deakin University media release

Read the media release from the office of the Victorian Premier Dan Andrews