Lifeline for Gravity Discovery Centre

Science and Innovation Minister Bill Marmion has announced $178,000 in interim funding to keep Gingin's Gravity Discovery Centre open until the end of the year and allow it to review its operations and find new long-term financial support.

"The Gravity Discovery Centre is a popular WA science education facility which I have supported for many years and I want to see it continue to succeed," Mr Marmion said.

Mr Marmion's lifeline reverses a decision by former minister, Troy Buswell who said the centre needed to become more financially independent.

The Department of Commerce is commissioning and funding an independent report that will identify areas for operational improvement and appropriate funding sources to help secure the centre's future viability.

The report will be made available to the centre's board so they can use it to improve operations, management and business linkages and is due for completion by the end of September.

"This funding extends through until the end of December this year and will ensure the centre remains open to the public while the report is concluded and the board considers the report's recommendations.

"Science funding always involves tough decisions prioritising between worthy projects, especially at a time when the State Government is committing substantial funding to the SKA project," Mr Marmion said.

The Gravity Discovery Centre was established in 2004 as a tourist attraction, and education and research facility.