Newsletter: 2nd Quarter 2005
GC3 Officially Launched
On the 6 July 2005, over fifty invited guests from the wider CQ region ensured the success of the official launch of the Gladstone Centre for Clean Coal (GC3).
Representatives from industry, the educational sector and local government gathered at Central Queensland University’s Gladstone Engineering Centre (GEC) to lend their support to an initiative which is fast becoming one of global significance.
Mr Bob Prater, CQU Gladstone Head of Campus, in his address, welcomed guests and commended the committee on the time and effort they have dedicated to building the resources and reputation of the GC3 and promoting coal to the broader community as a suitable energy source both now and well into the future. Representing the Faculty of Engineering & Physical Systems, Professor Peter Wolfs, Associate Dean (Research) gave an overview of the research being undertaken by the Faculty generally and particularly with regard to environmental issues. He also talked of CQU’s work with the mining industry to target their present and future educational needs to ensure a suitably skilled and constant workforce.
Unfortunately the advertised keynote speaker from Melbourne, Professor Snow Barlow, Program Leader in the Co-operative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting, was forced to cancel at the last minute due to illness. However, he was ably replaced by Dr Ken King, CEO of the Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board who challenged the audience with global statistics about coal and coal emission and gave an indication of where the CQ region stood in the world market.
Mr Leo Zussino, CEO of the Central Queensland Ports Authority and after whom the CQU Gladstone Engineering Centre is named, officially launched the Gladstone Centre for Clean Coal and outlined the history of the foundation of the GC3 concept which was in response to a natural gas marketing campaign in the late nineties. It was decided, at that time, that there was a need to show that coal was a cleaner and cheaper alternative that was consistent with the concepts of sustainability, and of course, is readily available in this region.
Although the centre started principally as a research database it now provides a central point for a wealth of information about the use of coal locally and worldwide. The committee, chaired by Dr Colin Greensill (CQU), is currently sponsored by NRG, CQPA, BMA, Curragh Mining and Xstrata with others invited join in the future.
After the official proceedings, delegates mingled in the foyer of the Leo Zussino Building and viewed the new audio visual display depicting the history and development of coal, and its role as a clean energy source. The three dimensional display has separate time scenes which are set in motion by the viewer through button activation. The display remains open to the public at the Leo Zussino Building.
