THE state government has announced an $11 million investment in new roads, power and optic fibre infrastructure in the Mid West, to further enhance Western Australia’s chances of hosting the $2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.
Two consortia are in contention to host the world’s most powerful radio telescope – Australia-New Zealand and a group of nine African countries led by South Africa.
The state and federal governments have already invested almost $350 million to develop SKA-related infrastructure and research capacity to support the SKA bid, a final decision on which will be made by the first half of 2012.
If Australia is selected to host the SKA, the project will be located in the Murchison Radio Observatory, a unique radio-quiet area located 330 kilometres north-east of Geraldton.
Science and Innovation Minister John Day said the investment would strengthen Australia’s chances of hosting the project and was a win for radio astronomy and local communities.
“This infrastructure is critical to the success of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), an important precursor project to the SKA,” he said.
The Murchison Radio Observatory is home to two precursor telescopes – the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope and the Murchison Wide Field Array.
“The new roads, power and optic fibre infrastructure will link the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, ASKAP and potentially the SKA to the world, while also benefiting Mid West communities,” Mr Day said.
The route for the optic fibre installation from the Murchison Radio Observatory to Geraldton was planned with the City of Geraldton-Greenough to provide better connectivity for government buildings, the new technology precinct and Geraldton Airport.
“Mullewa and three pastoral stations along the route will gain access to high-speed broadband connections in exchange for housing repeater huts on their properties,” Mr Day said.
