PRHAAUSRMINISTE
FOR MEDIA 6 APRIL 1979
C. S. I. R. O0. RANGE LANDS' LABORATORY
ALICE SPRINGS
It's twelve months almost to the day that I last visited
Alice Springs. I enjoyed myself immensely last time, and
I was delighted to receive this invitation to open the
C. S. I. R. 0. ' s new Range Land'Is Laboratory.
Knowing the C. S. I. R. O. scientists' awsome thirst for knowledge,
it's not surprising that the C. S. I. R. O. has played such
a prominent role in rangelands research. The C. S. I. R. O.
team is part of a national range lands' team and has become a
focal point for range lands' activities. Australia must develop
management principles and practices which will maintain the
range lands in a stable and productive condition. We look
to the C. S. I. R. O. team to provide the lead.
It's not often realised that about 75 percent of Australia
lacks sufficient rainfall for crop production or for
pasture improvement. With so much of our country arid or
semi-arid, and bearing in mind the contribution the range lands
make to Australia's agricultural export income, the
establishment of the C. S. I. R. O. central Australian laboratory
in Alice Springs assumes major importance.
It has been estimated that over-grazing by sheep and cattle
has severely degraded 30 percent of the rangelands. In some
cases, the damage may be practically irreversible. But fortunately,
over most of the continent either the condition of the
range lands can be improved, or further degradation prevented.
This research will help agriculture by contributing to the
long-term stability of the land and vegetation. It is also
essential for the future viability of the pastoral and
tourist industries, for the conservation of our unique flora
and fauna and most importantly for the welfare of the
Aboriginal population living in the area.
The research work is done on commercially operating properties.
While this imposes some restrictions, it has the advantage of
presenting a full range of environments for study, under
" 1real-life" conditions. / 2
2
The C. S. I. R. O. has been involved with central Australia
for some 25 years and has notched up some important successes.
For example, the land surveys of the 1950' s provided for
the first time an accurate inventory of central Australia's
climatic and land resources. The maps produced have proved
invaluable to a great number of Government departments and
other sections of the community.
Another early activity in the district was plant
introduction. Over 400 potentially useful grasses and shrubs
from all over the world were introduced and thoroughly tested
over a ten to fifteen year period. The results were
disappointing. None of the introductions fared as well in our
poor soils and erratic rainfall as our own native species.
Although disappointing, the results highlight the need for
good husbandry of our native pastures. We cannot expect
to find any wonder plants to replace them. However, six of
the introduced species--the ones which fared best in the local
conditions--were used in replanting areas around the
Alice Springs' Airport. They assisted to reduce the dust
problem which plagued Alice Springs during prolonged bouts
of dry weather. I'm sure that plants that reduce dust would
be appreciated in Canberra, especiqlly when Parliament
is sitting.
The research programme of this laboratory is directed to
the problems and welfare of the central Australian region.
Its research will also benefit Australia's vast arid zone,
and similar zones overseas. For example, during my visit to
India earlier this year it was agreed that there should be
discussions between our two countries on ways of expanding
our co-operation in various scientific fields.
At this very moment there is a delegation of Australian
scientists in India some of whom are from the C. S. I. R. O.
who are discussing arid and semi-arid zone research with
their Indian counterparts. These discussions build on the
close working relationship between the C. S. I. R. O. range lands'
group and the " Rajastan Central Arid Zone Research Institute"
in Jodhpur, India. I've no doubt that this new laboratory
will provide further opportunities for the exchange of
knowledge and experience between our two countries.
Thank you once again for inviting me here today. I have
pleasure in declaring open the C. S. I. R. O. Central
Australian Laboratory. 000---