Federal Government funds towards the support of the Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) will dry up from July this year, leaving questions about future funding for research.

Since 2003 the Melbourne-based centre’s federal funding has been matched with the support of state fire and land management agencies, various universities, the Bureau of Meteorology, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Geoscience Australia.

Although the termination of funding was expected, the move has still attracted criticism from various sources.

“This reckless cut makes no sense given the extent of bushfire damage this summer here in NSW and right around the country,” NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said.

The CRC says it wants to continue with fire research, and build on the important work it has done since it was established in 2003.

“The current research program focuses on national issues arising from the Black Saturday bushfires – but there is a need to look to the future with fire research,” a Bushfire CRC spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.