CSIRO in Alice farewells Heath Road lab

CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship Science Director Dr Mark Stafford Smith and CSIRO Manufacturing, Materials and Minerals Group Executive Dr Steve Morton attended the celebrations in Alice Springs.

Members of the central Australian community have attended the Rangeland Biology and Ecology Seminar series in the building for 31 years.

Alice Springs arid zone research team research scientist Dr Margaret Friedel, who was recently recognised by CSIRO for 35 years of service, highlighted the extraordinary growth in the team’s research scope over the past 31 years.

“It’s been a privilege to work for CSIRO, and to see the growth in our knowledge of rangelands over the years,” Dr Friedel said.

“We’ve gone from researching ways of improving pastoral production in mulga and spinifex to understanding the social, economic and environmental complexities of the outback and supporting better livelihoods for indigenous and non-indigenous people.”

CSIRO staff will relocate to the modern purpose built offices in the Desert Knowledge Precinct next week.

The Alice Springs precinct provides a national and international focal point for desert knowledge activities.

The move marks the beginning of an exciting new era of research into natural resource management and sustainable livelihoods in arid and semi-arid rangelands on a new site.

CSIRO’s continued commitment to researching the issues facing the arid zone is evident in its recent staff appointments.

South Australian-born ecologist Dr Ashley Sparrow recently arrived from the University of Nevada in America to take up the position of group leader of the Alice Springs team.

Dr Sparrow will lead a growing group of committed researchers with diverse skills focused on new approaches to tackling the many unique issues that affect people living in the arid zone of Australia.

Two months ago, Josie Douglas joined as an Aboriginal research fellow. She will do PhD research into how Aboriginal language and culture complements science education programs in remote schools.

The old CSIRO building has been purchased by the Indigenous Land Corporation and is being renovated to house staff from the Centre for Appropriate Technology.