Local councils to join Victorian biotech industry

A new study identifying ways that local government can assist the biotech industry was launched by Victorian minister for innovation John Brumby yesterday.

Mapping the Life Cycle of Biotechnology Companies outlines potential job and investment opportunities to boost biotechnology industries in the local government areas of Hume, Knox, Melbourne, Monash, Whittlesea and Wyndham and was prepared by the six member councils of the BioCouncil Alliance.

"In Victoria, our biotechnology clusters - such as the biomedical precincts at Parkville and Monash, and our agricultural expertise at Wyndham and Whittlesea - are responsible for leading edge projects and businesses that are competing on a global basis," said Brumby in a statement.

The study looked at council areas already containing specialised biotechnology expertise, industries, research institutes and infrastructure as well as future possible development areas.

"The report recommends that councils play a role in helping the development of suitable precinct developments, by providing developers with advice on appropriate selection of land and with coordination of potential tenants," Brumby said.

The report also recommended councils should:

• Co-operate in areas of mutual interest;
• Play an active role in biotechnology precinct and industry hub developments;
• Assist with specialist planning permits;
• Work with communities;
• Provide information on suitable premises; and
• Focus on areas of strength and avoid direct competition with each other.

The study was supported by a $50,000 grant from the Victorian government and follows a Bioscience to Bioindustry study released by the BioCouncils Alliance in 2004.