Federal Government support for Future Economy Precinct welcome

Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week announced the Federal Government will invest $3.8 million toward an estimated $12 million infrastructure project for the Future Economy Precinct at Deakin's Waurn Ponds Campus.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said the crucial project, which will improve roads and access, is a proposed three-way partnership between Deakin and the federal and state governments.

"I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement and strong support for Deakin's Future Economy Precinct," Professor den Hollander said.

"Deakin is also engaged in positive discussions with the State Government and I look forward to that conversation continuing after the caretaker period.

"For Geelong to be the greatest regional city in Australia, we all need to get better at working together, and this infrastructure project is a good example of joining the dots and leveraging investment.

"As we stop talking about being in an economic transition – because we have already moved on – Deakin is central to the pursuit of embracing a clever and creative future for Geelong and the wider south-west region."

The Future Economy Precinct integrates Deakin's high-level research capabilities with specialised research equipment and industrial-scale infrastructure.

It draws on more than 15 years of investment in developing the research expertise and facilities to underpin Deakin's path to international research recognition, particularly in areas such as carbon and ultra-fine fibre, nanotechnology and composite materials, as well as robotics, pattern recognition and data analytics.

In five years the Future Economy Precinct has led to the creation of more than 1000 jobs through industry partnerships and co-location opportunities, and the precinct is now home to some of the world's leading advanced manufacturers.