Tropical research in Queensland has received a boost today with a ceremony to mark the start of construction of the $32 million Australian Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct at James Cook University in Townsville.

Following the turning of the first sod on the site by Queensland's Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister, Desley Boyle, CSIRO's agribusiness group leader, Dr Joanne Daly, said CSIRO, JCU and the Queensland Government had committed significant resources to the development of ATSIP.

"The precinct will position Australia as the pre-eminent provider of tropical science knowledge to industries and communities in the world’s tropics, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region," she said.

JCU's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding, said ATSIP would co-locate two of Australia's premier research organisations, CSIRO and JCU, thereby enabling them to collaborate on overcoming barriers to establishing sustainable natural resource use in the tropics.

"JCU and CSIRO have complementary research profiles and ATSIP will provide the platform for greater and innovative research partnerships," Professor Harding said.

"This part of the country is home to vibrant regional communities, many of which rely on the region’s reefs and rainforests for their livelihood.

"Science has a critical role to play in providing information to protect and manage these valuable icons."

Examples of planned research include; effective water use management, long-term sustainable production methods in savannah landscapes and development of novel tropical crops and production systems.