Desert Knowledge
Developing and supporting strategies and projects that position Alice Springs as a centre for smart and sustainable desert living.
Desert Knowledge supports and advances activities and investments in Alice Springs that build and consolidate Alice Springs as a smart, innovative and knowledge-based town while maximising local economic and social outcomes.
The project identifies the know-how of successful desert living and commerce, creates new approaches and finds new ways of living and creating wealth in the desert.
Drawing on Indigenous and modern technological knowledge, the Desert Knowledge project will not only create wealth in Alice Springs but also create innovations that are applicable to desert regions across the world.
How it will happen
- Creating a Desert Knowledge Precinct to provide a physical centre for Desert Knowledge Australia, the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, Desert Peoples Centre, Solar Demonstration Facility and other flagship programs.
- Supporting desertSMART, a community, business and government partnership that provides a holistic approach to energy use, building design, water and waste issues.
- Preserving water supplies by linking government and community together, supporting water conservation education through initiatives such as desertSMART and Desert Knowledge Australia COOLmob and investing in water planning and conservation measures.
- Continuing to support recognition of Alice Springs as Australia’s solar centre, a program to demonstrate how solar power, energy efficiency and new approaches can combine to provide a sustainable energy future.
What it will mean
For residents
- More jobs and a stronger, more diverse economy.
- Improved Indigenous education and employment opportunities and outcomes.
- Opportunities to take up sustainable living measures.
- A more environmentally sustainable town.
For business
- Opportunities for new knowledge-based businesses and investment.
- Provision of goods and services for desert knowledge-based activities.
- An environmentally and socially sustainable town will create a better trading environment for local businesses.
What we have already done
- Desert Knowledge Australia established and headquartered in Alice Springs, with NT Government and Federal Government providing $30.22 million for stage one development of the Desert Knowledge Precinct.
- Desert Knowledge Australia and Desert Knowledge CRC headquartered in the new $2.5 million Business and Innovation Centre at the precinct.
- Facilities under construction at the Desert Knowledge precinct include the $5 million first stage of the Desert Peoples Centre.
- Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre established and headquartered in Alice Springs, with a $14 million annual budget bringing significant investment into Alice Springs.
- As part of the Desert Knowledge Australia COOLmob initiative, over 500 households committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
- Desert Knowledge Australia COOLmob providing ongoing community education, energy audits and advice.
- Worked with Alice Springs Town Council and other Alice Springs Solar Cities Consortium members to lodge a successful submission for $12.3 million Australian Solar Cities funding.
- Commitment for a $2.55 million solar demonstration facility to be built at Desert Knowledge Precinct.
What will happen next
- Completion of Stage One of the Desert Peoples Centre.
- Further exploration of options to progress draft application to Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services by desertSMART partners.
- Ongoing consolidation of Desert Knowledge Australia COOLmob activities, including annual ‘retrofit day’.
- Work together with other Alice Springs Solar Cities Consortium members to implement the $29 million program to make Alice Springs Australia’s Solar Centre.
For more information
www.desertknowledge.com.au/dka
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