Science group connects SW

The new South West Science Council will connect various groups and individuals in a bid to foster scientific innovation within the region.

The council, which is in the process of being incorporated, was set up by Bunbury-based Professor Adrian Egan to link people from different fields in the region and put science on the map.

"The idea came to me that from the background I had in agriculture and environmental science and my interest in the agricultural industries particularly down here - dairy, beef and horticulture," Professor Egan said.

"From that kind of background, I thought there are a lot of people around who don't actually appreciate how much science and technology are involved in everything we do every day and everything we expect to happen in the future."

Professor Egan said the council - which is supported by Scitech and Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering - comprised a steering committee of 12 South West representatives from organisations including Dolphin Discovery Centre, South West Institute of Technology, Edith Cowan University and South West Catchments Council.

Professor Egan said once the council was incorporated, members would have access to a huge network throughout the South West and could draw on expertise from people in other fields to determine the most effective methods and processes to complete projects.

"The whole idea of a South West Science Council is that it advocates and showcases in relation to change that has been brought in, where people have used the science and the technology to take their business to another level," he said.

South West Catchments Council senior scientist and South West Science Council deputy chair Emily Hugues dit Ciles said the science council gave the catchments council the opportunity to link with other fields of science to implement holistic, integrated natural resource management practices.

"Links with other industry is critical to open opportunities to improve our South West environment and sustainable agriculture," Ms Hugues dit Ciles said.

The first initiative of the science council will be to establish a hub for education program Inspiring Australia, where Professor Egan said the council's volunteer members would mentor students on the links between their knowledge and its application in economic, environmental and social causes.