Cellulose Valley Newsletter - Febraury

The concept of "Cellulose Valley" - the "Silicon Valley of Natural Plant Products" - to be centred on the Northern Rivers Region, has gained considerable momentum over the last three months.

It is my intention to keep all interested parties informed of developments via a Newsletter, of which this represents the first.

I am keen to receive feedback from you all, both positive and negative, so please feel free to comment.

Professor Peter Baverstock
Dean of Research
Graduate Research College
Southern Cross University
PO Box 157, Lismore NSW
Australia 2480

E-mail: pbaverst@scu.edu.au

The name "Cellulose Valley" has stuck!

Some people love it, others don't, but on balance it has majority support. Its major advantage is that it immediately conjures up the analogy with "Silicon Valley" in California, which precisely its intent.

We now have a logo, and the name is being registered.

On December 3^rd, 1997, a day-long workshop was held at Southern Cross University to help focus the range of issues associated with the development of the concept. The workshop was sponsored by the Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee.

The workshop was exceptionally well attended, with some 85 participants representing the Herbal Medicine Industry, (including Primary Production, Research & Development, and Manufacturing and Distribution), various Primary Production Organisations, State and Federal Regional Development Organisations, Indigenous Peoples, and Green Groups.

Significantly, the proposal received unanimous in principle support from all attendees!

The focus of Cellulose Valley will be "NATURAL PLANT PRODUCTS".

Core activities will be Herbal Medicine and Cosmeceuticals, with extension to related "green sustainable areas".

The Technology Park will have a strong ethical and philosophical base, including issues related to building design, products based on animal testing, and products based on genetically modified organisms.

The Technology Park will be based on an 80ha site, immediately south of the Lismore Campus of Southern Cross University.

The property was originally named "Maizegrove", and indeed grew large areas of maize - a fortuitous link with Cellulose.

It is therefore intended to name the site "The Cellulose Valley Technology Park".

I have presented the "Cellulose Valley Technology Park" concept to numerous groups, including the following:

NOREDO (Northern Rivers Economic Development Organisation)
ACC (Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee)
Harry Woods, State Minister for Rural Affairs and Regional Development
SARD (State & Regional Development)
Premiers Department
NSW Department of Agriculture / NRADAI Northern Rivers Agricultural Development Assoc Inc)
Director General of Regional Development in Premiers Department

Significantly, NOREDO and the ACC have given the Cellulose Valley Project top priority for support.

Additionally, State and Federal MP's have given the project full support, along with Local Government.

Indeed, in a recent press release, the Federal Member for Richmond, Mr Larry Anthony, stated:

"Southern Cross University's Cellulose Valley concept has the potential to underpin a rural recover over the next few decades."

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barry Conyngham, has given approval to begin development of the site of the Technology Park.

The old house on the property, first built ca1880, will be fully restored to its former glory in Federation style to become the Information Centre. Limited office space will also be available for rent in the building.

The remaining buildings and out-houses on the site will be demolished.

The Premiers Department has indicated that it will facilitate the establishment of a 'Development Control Plan' for the site. Such a DCP will reduce approval time for buildings on the site to 30 days.

The University, the Area Consultative Committee, and State and Regional Development have contributed funding to co-opt Associate Professor Derrin Davis of Southern Cross University to:

Prepare a detailed site plan, and infrastructure plan for the Technology Park;
Recommend a management structure for the Technology Park, and
Research and report on the range of natural plant products that can be produced in the region, their world markets, and their financial viability.

Associate Professor Derrin Davis, will work in close collaboration on the project with Mr Graham Newton from the Economic Development Unit of Lismore City Council.