MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (11:27): Today I am proud to speak of two trailblazing research projects that are great examples of the kinds of initiatives that will help drive Victoria’s COVID-19 recovery through more jobs, skills and research: the BatTRI-Hub 2.0 at Deakin University’s Burwood campus and the Hycel Technology Hub at Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus.
The Andrews Labor government has invested over $1 billion in Victoria’s universities to assist them as they recover from COVID, with $5.2 million going to the BatTRI-Hub and $9 million to the Hycel Tech Hub. They represent a joint commitment to finding cleaner and more efficient ways to drive our economy. These two projects are expected to create 290 jobs by the end of 2025, with 90 jobs in manufacturing, science and engineering through the BatTRI-Hub and 200 jobs in the energy sector as part of the Hycel Technology Hub.
The BatTRI-Hub will also create fantastic opportunities for post-secondary training opportunities in battery production and process engineering through partnerships with industry leaders in this field. The training facilities at the Hycel Tech Hub will be a space for students, researchers and industry to test innovative methods and upskill in the use of new hydrogen-based applications, and in this case in Warrnambool it will be with the local bus line that is very familiar to those in the south-west. The Hycel project will also provide a new multifunctional space for education and demonstration activities and will mean primary, secondary and tertiary students, community groups and industry networks will be able to learn more about hydrogen as a clean energy source.
These two projects show that we can achieve much through collaboration and creative thinking. These are great examples of the benefits of innovative partnerships that can deliver a whole lot of different training opportunities and jobs and innovation for this state.
