Published Monday, 16 April, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
BOOST FOR APPLETHORPE RESEARCH CENTRE
Horticulture research and development in the Granite Belt will be boosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) sharing resources and collaborating on future projects.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said today the Department was negotiating a leasing arrangement with Stanthorpe Shire Council for the former Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE campus.
“Council’s purchase of the campus at Applethorpe has created an opportunity for DPI&F to expand its research capacity and work more closely with USQ and QCWT,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Leasing these facilities from Council for continued educational and research activities would make a significant contribution to the economic viability of the shire through rural skilling and job creation in the Granite Belt.
“An important part of this proposal is the potential for partnerships with the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).
“A Memorandum of Understanding between DPI&F and USQ will lead to shared resources and collaborative research opportunities for the wine industry.
“Already DPI&F Wine Industry Development Officers and USQ faculty of Sciences researchers are engaged in a collaborative wine quality research program at QCWT.’’
Mr Mulherin said the new arrangement also would allow funds previously earmarked for a new Applethorpe facility to be invested in other priority areas.
“This makes good financial sense.’’
Stanthorpe Shire Council Mayor, Glen Rogers, said the purchase of the former SQIT campus guaranteed the facilities would remain a valuable community asset.
QCWT chief executive John Neville said there was potential to further expand the exciting partnerships already established between Government departments, education providers and industry at Stanthorpe, the centre of the Granite Belt and Queensland’s first and premier wine region.
“QCWT has an existing state-of-the-art facility at Stanthorpe, comprising teaching, winery, cellar door, bistro café interpretive centre, hospitality training kitchen and wine science laboratories,” he said.
“The College will deliver quality training for the Queensland wine industry from entry to tertiary level across the spectrum of skills underpinning the industry.”
Mr Mulherin said there had been a positive response from all stakeholders who wanted Applethorpe to remain the state’s leading horticultural research facility.
“DPI&F has long worked in partnership with Queensland’s horticulture sector to improve its economic, social and environmental sustainability by providing market-driven scientific, technology and information-based solutions,” he said.
“Our specialists at Applethorpe Research Station work in the areas of entomology, pathology, physiology and plant breeding, viticulture, business development and trade and export.
“This will be even further enhanced when the new research centre becomes operational.”
Originally part of CSIRO, Applethorpe Research Station became part of DPI&F in 1964. Largely focussing on work in deciduous crops (mainly apples, stone fruit, grapes and some vegetables) the team at Applethorpe has taken on a series of state, national and international projects.
These projects contribute to national breeding and genetics programs for superior varieties, sustainable production systems, supply chain management, and new products and new markets.
Media: 32396530
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said today the Department was negotiating a leasing arrangement with Stanthorpe Shire Council for the former Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE campus.
“Council’s purchase of the campus at Applethorpe has created an opportunity for DPI&F to expand its research capacity and work more closely with USQ and QCWT,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Leasing these facilities from Council for continued educational and research activities would make a significant contribution to the economic viability of the shire through rural skilling and job creation in the Granite Belt.
“An important part of this proposal is the potential for partnerships with the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).
“A Memorandum of Understanding between DPI&F and USQ will lead to shared resources and collaborative research opportunities for the wine industry.
“Already DPI&F Wine Industry Development Officers and USQ faculty of Sciences researchers are engaged in a collaborative wine quality research program at QCWT.’’
Mr Mulherin said the new arrangement also would allow funds previously earmarked for a new Applethorpe facility to be invested in other priority areas.
“This makes good financial sense.’’
Stanthorpe Shire Council Mayor, Glen Rogers, said the purchase of the former SQIT campus guaranteed the facilities would remain a valuable community asset.
QCWT chief executive John Neville said there was potential to further expand the exciting partnerships already established between Government departments, education providers and industry at Stanthorpe, the centre of the Granite Belt and Queensland’s first and premier wine region.
“QCWT has an existing state-of-the-art facility at Stanthorpe, comprising teaching, winery, cellar door, bistro café interpretive centre, hospitality training kitchen and wine science laboratories,” he said.
“The College will deliver quality training for the Queensland wine industry from entry to tertiary level across the spectrum of skills underpinning the industry.”
Mr Mulherin said there had been a positive response from all stakeholders who wanted Applethorpe to remain the state’s leading horticultural research facility.
“DPI&F has long worked in partnership with Queensland’s horticulture sector to improve its economic, social and environmental sustainability by providing market-driven scientific, technology and information-based solutions,” he said.
“Our specialists at Applethorpe Research Station work in the areas of entomology, pathology, physiology and plant breeding, viticulture, business development and trade and export.
“This will be even further enhanced when the new research centre becomes operational.”
Originally part of CSIRO, Applethorpe Research Station became part of DPI&F in 1964. Largely focussing on work in deciduous crops (mainly apples, stone fruit, grapes and some vegetables) the team at Applethorpe has taken on a series of state, national and international projects.
These projects contribute to national breeding and genetics programs for superior varieties, sustainable production systems, supply chain management, and new products and new markets.
Media: 32396530