Cellulose Valley brings together organisations and industries from the following sectors:

• research and development
• manufacturing
• primary production

The result is a highly synergistic one, positioning the Northern Rivers region, and Australia, as a quality assured, internationally competitive centre for research, manufacturing and production of herbal medicines and related products.

We have valued your tremendous support and feedback over the past two months since our first issue, and I am delighted to advise that the planning process for this exciting project is well underway.

We appreciate your continued support, and again invite your comments along the way.

Professor Peter Baverstock Dean of Research Southern Cross University Email: pbaverst@scu.edu.au

That Southern Cross University in particular, and the Northern Rivers region in general, will become an international centre for research, development and commercial production of natural plant products.

The Cellulose Valley Technology Triangle

Its vision is:

To create a technology community, based on a cluster of firms and activities relating to research and development of natural plant products, particularly for therapeutic application. Development of the park site will be undertaken in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development, resulting in a 'model community' featuring environmental best practice in planning and development.

Following a meeting with Lismore City Council in early April, we have been advised that Council is prepared to assist us in every facet of the development for the Technology Park.

With such strong endorsement from our local Council, we have been provided with strategic assistance from Graeme Newton, from Council’s Economic Development Unit.

Associate Professor Derrin Davis of Southern Cross University, and Graeme Newton have visited a range of technology parks throughout Australia, to gather information on the development and management of these institutions.

Associate Professor Davis, with support from Graeme Newton and two advisory groups, is preparing a concept plan, including costings, for the development of the technology park.

It is envisaged that the development of the Technology Park will be in four stages. The activities for these stages are not fixed, as we would prefer that the development process incorporates close interaction with our valued stakeholders.

The following offers some insight into the planning ideas to date.

Stage One - next 18 months

• The tender has been announced for the renovation of ‘Maizegrove’, a 118-year-old Federation homestead, which will become the Cellulose Valley Information Centre. Office facilities and a reception and information area will be established at Maizegrove, with 5 office rooms being made available for rent. It is anticipated that the homestead will be restored to its former glory by the end of July.
• Tree planting along the entrance road to the Technology Park.
• Trial planting of certain plant species and establishment of a herb garden.
• Renovation of the existing gardens around the homestead.
• Planning and establishment of the Naturopathy Clinic on-site.
• Establishing playing fields on-site.
• Preparation of a Development Control Plan.

Most of these activities are well underway.

Stage Two - 12 months to 2 years

• Establishment of the Cellulose Valley Research and Development Centre on the Park. The Centre will include laboratories, office accommodation, reception area, a meeting/conference room and ancillary services such as shower and change rooms.
• Calls for expressions of interest to establish child minding facilities on-site.
• We have received in-principle commitments from five major herbal medicine industry companies to locate their R&D activities in the Cellulose Valley Research and Development Centre. We are currently seeking expressions of interest from prospective tenants in the natural plant product and health industries for Cellulose Valley’s R&D Centre.
• Road construction and installation of communications network.
• Construction of cycleways and walking trails.
• Development and implementation of a marketing plan.

Stage Three - 3 Years

• Construct and market an incubator facility for R&D purposes.

Stage Four - 12 months onwards

• Expansion with core Cellulose Valley tenants.
• Formulation and implementation of extension programs for primary producers interested in production of herb and other medicinal crops.

We are currently holding discussions with State and Federal governments, and have been pleased by the level of enthusiasm for the project which was recently mentioned in the NSW Parliament.

Following completion of the concept plan we will be seeking funds from both the Federal and State governments to develop Stage 2 of the Technology Park.

A cooperative research centre (CRC) proposal is being prepared by Southern Cross University in conjunction with three other Australian universities, five or six major industry partners, and NSW Department of Agriculture.

The CRC Program is Federally funded, and strives to bring together industry and research organisations to develop research and education programs of relevance to industry, and that lead to commercial outcomes.

Directly relevant to Cellulose Valley, the CRC for Therapeutic Plant Products is planned as a major research and education venture between leading Australian universities, herbal medicine companies and NSW Department of Agriculture. The CRC headquarters will be based at the Technology Park.

At present we have commitment from several major industry players and NSW Department of Agriculture to be involved in the CRC. If the proposal for funding is successful, total resources of around $6-7 million per annum over 7 years would be available for research and education for medicinal plants.

The CRC is based on the principles of the Cellulose Valley vision. It creates synergies between industry, university researchers and primary producers, via the common cause of research and education, with the ultimate aims of achieving Quality Assurance for the Australian herbal medicines industry, expanding the range of products available, and giving Australian producers a competitive edge in the international market place.

Peter Cuming is the winner of numerous national and international awards for his work in sustainable futures planning and design, and consults widely overseas in ESD developments.

The construction of the site will be based on ESD principles, and will incorporate planning workshops which will be available for internal and industry stakeholders.

Cellulose Valley will be a model of Best Practice for sustainable development, as well as an international centre for R&D in natural plant products.

We are currently having discussions with national organisation, Friends of the Koala (FOK), to work towards enhancing the Koala Habitat on the Cellulose Valley Technology Park.

FOK has expressed interest in setting aside a one-acre area on the Park, to plant a food garden to supply leaves for sick Koalas in the University’s Hospital and Research Centre.

At present, we are considering the viability of moving the existing Koala enclosures and nursery to the Cellulose Valley Technology Park, and building a new set of Koala Wards, to host sick Koalas.

Professor Peter Waterman, who has expertise in the commercialisation of natural products research, will be speaking with the Cellulose Valley team during his stay.

Professor Waterman’s intricate understanding of phytochemistry will add value to the development of our research and development infrastructure, and ultimately, Quality Assurance for the herbal medicines industry in Australia.

Professor Waterman will be giving one public lecture during his stay. The lecture will be held at the SCU Lismore campus on Wednesday 29 April at ‘S Block’, Room S3.03, from 12.00 noon.