Research Advisory Committees

The FRDC supports a network of Research Advisory Committees (RACs) located in each state and the Northern Territory. The RACs have an extremely important role in maximising the efficiency of the FRDC's planning and funding process.

Each year the FRDC holds a workshop with key advisory groups to set the priorities for the coming year and future funding rounds. Details and presentation from the workshop are available on the Stakeholder Workshop page.

 

The RAC contacts are listed below:

 

RAC

CHAIR

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CONTACT DETAILS

COM RAC

Peter O’Brien

Carolyn Stewardson

M: 0418 867 944
E: carolyn.stewardson@frdc.com.au

NSW RAC

Peter Dundas-Smith

Nicole Stubing

M: 0468 590 642
E: nicole.stubing@frdc.com.au

NT RAC

Rik Buckworth

Nicole Stubing

M: 0468 590 642
E: nicole.stubing@frdc.com.au

QLD RAC

Cathy Dichmont

Nicole Stubing

M: 0468 590 642
E: nicole.stubing@frdc.com.au

SA RAC

Don Plowman

Chris Izzo

M: 0419 852 723 
E: christopher.izzo@frdc.com.au

TAS RAC

Ian Cartwright

Carolyn Stewardson

M: 0418 867 944
E: carolyn.stewardson@frdc.com.au

VIC RAC

Peter Rankin

Nicole Stubing

M: 0468 590 642
E: nicole.stubing@frdc.com.au

WA RAC

Brett McCallum

Nicole Stubing

M: 0468 590 642
E: nicole.stubing@frdc.com.au

 

The role of the RAC includes:

  • developing a strategic jurisdictional 5 year RD&E plan (to align with the FRDCs RD&E plan), and annual mechanisms to enact those plans, taking into account other strategic plans and priorities developed by other RACs, Subprograms, coordination programs and IPAs; so as to encourage collaboration and co-funding of projects
  • being responsive to the RD&E needs of stakeholders within each jurisdiction
  • promoting the best scientific methods
  • ensuring that RAC RD&E priorities are balanced across the programs of the FRDC RD&E plan and contain a mix of basic and applied RD&E
  • maintaining a strategic direction and being responsive to changing circumstances
  • setting RD&E priorities to maximise the opportunities of investment to meet identified priorities, avoid duplication and achieve the greatest potential return
  • inviting RD&E applications to address identified priorities
  • providing investment advice on the RAC allocated budget and expenditure against it
  • promoting collaboration between researchers, fisheries managers, and industry, both within, and among, jurisdictions
  • considering other RD&E funding opportunities
  • communicating regularly with potential beneficiaries through existing networks and FRDC communication channels
  • influencing the adoption of RD&E results
  • assessing project stop/go points
  • providing reports to stakeholders in the jurisdiction regarding RAC activities
  • providing reports on RAC activities to the FRDC for inclusion in the FRDC’s annual report

For further information regarding Research Advisory Committees (RACs) see - RAC Management procedure, Application for membership of Research Advisory Committee form, FRDC committee member's code of conduct, FRDC confidentiality agreement.