Transport Minister Simon O’Brien today officially launched the State Centre for Research into Energy for Sustainable Transport (CREST) at Murdoch University.

Mr O’Brien said the State Government’s $2.29million investment in this important centre would enable Murdoch University to unite the State's leading researchers in transport fuels and technologies.

“Today’s transport industry faces many challenges, particularly with regards to the development and delivery of alternative transport fuels and markets,” he said.

“The State Government is committed to fostering the development of new transport technologies, improving environmental efficiencies and sustainable productivity is one way of doing this.”

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell, who provided $2.29million to CREST through the Centres of Excellence in Science and Innovation Program, said transport currently accounted for 14 per cent of national Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the third largest sector.

“We need more sustainable transport solutions.  Through organisations like CREST, we can begin to make an important contribution to this critical change,” Mr Buswell said.

“The State Government's partnership with CREST will meet the many challenges, both present and future, of providing energy for sustainable transport. I look forward to many successful research outcomes that will help us to achieve this objective.”

Mr O’Brien said CREST will also increase the State's capacity in vehicle emissions testing and transport-related economic life-cycle analyses.

“This facility will provide more relevant, timely information to policy makers to help increase community and government participation in developing national transport policy and strategy,” he said.

Transport Minister’s office - 9213 6400

Commerce Minister’s office - 9222 9111