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HMAS Brisbane holds exciting research possibilities
The University of the Sunshine Coast is gearing up for some great scientific and tourism research opportunities in 2007 following the signing of an agreement regarding the former HMAS Brisbane yesterday.
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas and Environmental Protection Agency Director-General Terry Wall signed a two-part agreement that gave the University greater involvement with the wreck of the HMAS Brisbane and stewardship of Mooloolah River National Park.
Professor Thomas said the agreement would enable closer cooperation between the University and the EPA (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service) and the development of further joint projects.
"These are two of the most significant sites on the Sunshine Coast – one because it is a natural site and the other because it is a man-made site,’’ he said.
Professor Thomas said USC, which works closely with Queensland Museum in monitoring marine life colonisation of the wreck, would coordinate research into the HMAS Brisbane on behalf of QPWS and assist with tourism and promotional efforts.
The University plans to become a hub for material related to the former warship and will provide expertise in delivering interpretive and educational material for QPWS and tourism agencies.
Mr Wall said he was pleased to have USC on board in managing the wreck site and in promoting tourism opportunities for the wreck which has become a premier dive site off Mooloolaba.
“We haven’t, as an organisation, ever managed an artificial reef before,” he said. “It’s certainly been a huge success and a popular attraction. More so than anyone ever thought it would be.”
Mr Wall said the EPA had issued more than 10,000 dive permits through three private operators since the HMAS Brisbane was scuttled in July 2005.
“For us, the agreement cements an excellent working relationship with the University and provides for a range of opportunities to develop further projects,” he said.
A team of marine researchers from USC and Queensland Museum recently completed the first comprehensive assessment of marine life on the wreck.
This research by USC marine scientist Dr Thomas Schlacher and Queensland Museum scientists Dr Monika Schlacher-Hoenlinger, Simon Walker, Dr Jeff Johnson and Professor John Hooper found that colonisation of the wreck was proceeding rapidly.
“Marine life on the wreck is already rich and diverse and changes fast – literally under our dive masks,’’ Dr Schlacher said. “We have already put proposals on the table to continue monitoring these changes and introduced some innovative research ideas using the wreck as a model ecosystem.
“Since the ship was scuttled in 2005, it has played a significant role in underpinning marine-based tourism on the Sunshine Coast, attracting large numbers of divers and creating a ‘wreck-based’ diving industry.”
USC Faculty of Business tourism researcher Gayle Mayes said she was keen to explore several proposals into developing the ship’s tourism potential.
She said one suggestion was to install an underwater “dive cam” which could provide non-divers and divers alike with vision of the marine life around the HMAS Brisbane.