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SYNCHROTRON UPDATE -- January 2002
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An electronic newsletter on the progress of the Australian Synchrotron Project

The Victorian Government is firmly committed to the Australian synchrotron project at Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria. We believe that the establishment of a national synchrotron development is the most exciting and significant science infrastructure investment in Australia for decades and it will provide a massive boost to Victoria's position as a global leader of biotechnology and scientific research.

Therefore, we want to keep the scientific, industrial and business community fully informed of progress with this important project. We welcome your feedback and contributions.

It gives me pleasure to send you this first email update in a continuing series. I look forward to the active and positive involvement of all those who support this major leap forward in Australia's scientific and technological capability.

JOHN BRUMBY
Minister for State and Regional Development



Please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested to receive it.
You will need to subscribe to receive future issues by following the instructions at the end of the newsletter.

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SUMMARY OF THIS SYNCHROTRON UPDATE

1. Progress with the design of the synchrotron
2. Assembling the project team
3. National and international advice and support
4. Opportunities for information and comment
5. How to get more information about the synchrotron
6. How to subscribe and un-subscribe

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1. PROGRESS WITH SYNCHROTRON DESIGN
Since the announcement on 21 June 2001 by the Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks, that the Victorian State Government would build a synchrotron for Australia on a site provided by Monash University adjacent to its Clayton campus, the synchrotron technical designer has been working towards completion of the design.

Professor John Boldeman, Professor of Synchrotron Science at the University of Queensland, has continued development of his original 3GeV Boomerang14223 design to create the Boomerang16232 lattice, with emittance of 11.49 nmrad and at least 9 beamlines and 10 straights. Further refinements are being considered.

Boldeman has clear objectives for his design. "This will be a high performance facility competitive with the new third generation, medium-energy, compact storage rings being constructed throughout the world at this time. It's going to cater for 95% of the Australian scientific research community requirements and almost 100% of industrial requirements", he said.

2. ASSEMBLING THE PROJECT TEAM
To convert a bold idea into a major technical project the Government has begun assembling a specialist project delivery team, accountable to a governing body and advised by several national and international panels of experts.

The project delivery will be managed by a Project Director until the facility is fully commissioned, with the assistance of a scientific technical director. We are delighted that Mr Garry Seaborne will be taking up the position of Project Director in March 2002. (Press release link:
http://www.innovation.vic.gov.au/download/Synchrotron_Appointment.pdf)

Requests for initial Registrations of Interest (ROI) in providing project management services during the design and construction of the synchrotron were widely advertised in October 2001 and closed on 16 November. Services are to begin as soon as practicable in 2002. A selection panel is evaluating the ROIs received.

3. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT
Three different advisory panels will provide specialist technical advice and feedback to the Director, the Technical Director and the governing body.

The Australian Scientific Advisory Committee is a national panel representing the Australian community of scientific and industrial users. This committee will focus on providing advice on issues that are important for synchrotron users.

The International Scientific Advisory Committee comprises a number of highly regarded senior managers of successful synchrotron facilities overseas. This panel will advise on operational and organisational issues.

The International Machine Advisory Committee comprises technical experts who are specialists in the design and construction of synchrotron machines and beamlines. They will advise the Technical Director on the design, procurement and installation of the components that will make up the machine. The first meeting of the International Machine Advisory Committee will take place in San Francisco in February 2002.

Invitations to participate in one of the committees were sent to selected individuals in November 2001, and it is hoped that most members will have an opportunity to meet to review progress during the first quarter of 2002.

4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INFORMATION AND COMMENT
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that the community is kept informed of progress on the synchrotron project and can contribute to the development of the facility.

As part of this commitment, the Department of State and Regional Development is arranging briefing sessions (from February onwards) for synchrotron users. If you would like to receive details about these sessions, please contact the Australian Synchrotron Project office by e-mail (synchrotron@mpv.vic.gov.au).

The Department will also be holding other information sessions tailored for the business community, Monash local area, general public interest, or for local suppliers. To receive details of these sessions as they are arranged please contact the Australian Synchrotron Project office by e-mail: synchrotron@mpv.vic.gov.au.

5. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYNCHROTRON
The synchrotron project is being administered by the Victorian Department of State and Regional Development.

The current address and contact details are:

Major Projects Victoria---Australian Synchrotron Project
Department of State and Regional Development
Level 18, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: (03) 9655 3315 (International: +61-3-9655 3315)
Fax: (03) 9655 8666 (International: +61-3-9655 8666)
E-mail: synchrotron@mpv.vic.gov.au
Website: www.innovation.vic.gov.au (temporary)

Members of the team are available to speak to groups and public forums about the synchrotron project.

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