Strengthening North Australian Infrastructure

ADAM GILES - CHIEF MINISTER

PETER STYLES - MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

Charles Darwin University is building a stronger Northern Australia with the opening of a new facility for testing the integrity of infrastructure in extreme tropical weather.

“I am delighted to open this Structural Load Testing Facility at CDU which will help us ensure that our infrastructure is up to the challenges of the tropical Territory climate,” Chief Minister Adam Giles said.

“The Territory is going through a massive growth phase which will mean a lot of new construction activity over the years ahead.

“CDU is working to make sure those buildings are designed to withstand our unique environment and are robust enough to serve the Territory long into the future.

“This new facility means the materials used in those new structures and the buildings’ design can be tested here in the Territory, instead of interstate or overseas which is a huge boost to the local construction industry.

“It’s great to see this kind of design work being done by local CDU engineers. The facility is a Territory-first and a real advance for public safety.

“This facility adds an important new capability to the North Australian Centre for Oil and Gas and is a fantastic example of a public-private partnership driving Northern Development.”

Structural testing is integral to safe design in the oil and gas industry which is now using floating platforms that need to withstand seawater corrosion, as well as long distance pipelines that need to be maintained both on land and in the ocean.

“Ensuring the safety and durability of this vital economic infrastructure is integral to the development of Northern Australia,” Infrastructure Minister Peter Styles said.

“We need to think smart and plan well if we want to attract major investors to the Territory and this kind of facility opens up huge opportunities for future research and infrastructure expansion.

“Charles Darwin University has a crucial role to play in educating the Territory of tomorrow and ensuring we have the kind of workers available to meet industry’s needs.

“The University also has huge potential to expand its programs for foreign students as part of our  

Northern Australia Development push.  Welook forward to working with the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Maddocks, on realising these opportunities over the years ahead.”

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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