Published Wednesday, 22 October, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Mareeba to become leading agri-science research, training and services hub
Mareeba is to become one of Australia’s leading regional research, training and services hubs under an innovative new $8 million plan announced today by Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin.
Mr Mulherin said: “This is exciting news for the Tablelands with a new purpose-built facility to be built in Mareeba by December 2010.
“This new centre will be constructed beside the refurbished existing facility in Peters Street, Mareeba.
“Both buildings will then form the new Agri-science hub which will focus on Research, Development & Extension (RD&E), education and training.
“This will really put the spotlight on the Tablelands which will be home to a state-of-the-art regional research, training and services hub.
“It will increase our ability to attract and retain high quality, key staff.
“We are positioning DPI&F for the future. These changes are part of the Bligh Government’s Q2 vision to deliver world-class education and training and to create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.
“All current research programs and future research projects in the region will be met by this new centre and by retaining Walkamin Research Station along with 24.6 hectares at Kairi Research Station.
“This includes important research for existing industries including horticulture, field crops, forestry, pasture and seed production, cattle and dairy industries and future industries such as biocrops"
“In total we will be investing up to $8 million in the Tablelands and we will fund this by divesting some assets. All proceeds will stay on the Tablelands,” Mr Mulherin said.
The main points are:
• Establishing Peters Street, Mareeba as a leading agri-science research, training and services hub
• Walkamin Research Station (259 hectares) to be improved
• Four new extension officers to be employed
• Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s (ACCC) Mareeba campus to be relocated and incorporated into the Peters Street hub
• 24.6 hectares of the Kairi Research Station to be retained with the remaining 219.9 hectares to be divested
• The Kairi dairy herd will be offered for sale locally, the timing to be determined in consultation with industry.
• The 125 hectare Southedge Research Station to be divested.
Mr Mulherin said: “These changes will be phased in over a number of years. Employees affected by divestments will be offered retraining. No workers will be forced out of a job.
“There are great advantages to bringing together DPI&F’s regional scientific capacity in one location.
”The interactions between scientists, researchers, extension officers, teachers and students will create a rich environment of ideas, creativity and innovation.
“The new facility will also provide a central point for industry to interact with researchers and create partnerships, which in turn will drive innovation and sustainability.
“Industry will also have a single location to engage with government and access government services including DPI&F, Natural Resources & Water, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“As part of this major boost to industry development, DPI&F will employ two new extension officers to facilitate a farming systems approach in partnership with industry and other service providers.”
The iconic Tablelands dairy industry will also benefit significantly through:
• Two additional dairy extension staff to meet the industry’s needs identified in the recent discussion paper produced by the Far North Queensland Dairy Industry
• Better training services including skilling farmers in the use of the internet and other relevant technologies.
• Preparation of a Tablelands Dairy Development Plan to ensure no net impact on the milk supply on the Tablelands.
The Minister said the new centre would also provide a stimulus to agri-education and training.
“Consolidating RD&E with the skills and training delivered by AACC’s Mareeba campus will create better career pathways in agricultural science and attract the best and brightest minds,” he said.
“Students and trainers will have access to a wider range of resources through co-location with DPI&F and other government agencies at Peters Street.
“The delivery of Vocational Education Training (VET) will provide industry with technically competent, employable workers.”
“We will also develop strong links with the local high schools that offer agri-science courses.”
The Minister said industry, staff and other stakeholders were actively involved in the consultation process prior to today’s announcement. The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and Agforce were key members of the Steering Committee which consulted with the independent review team.
“Access to existing research facilities will be retained while new office and research facilities are being developed,” he said.
“Current research programs will continue until suitable alternatives are developed. For example, the mango genetic material at Southedge will be maintained for five years while future breeding capacity is developed at Walkamin.”
Kairi facilities will be maintained for a period of two years, during which time research capability will be transitioned to the 24.6 hectare site at Kairi.
The new plan for the Tablelands is part of DPI&F’s Fresh Approach program, which will see a number of research hubs developed in key primary production locations.
The expansion of the Peters Street, Mareeba site, and the retention of some existing field facilities was chosen as the preferred option after an independent review which looked at a range of issues including soil and climate variability, land availability and the potential for future agricultural opportunities. A copy of the Independent Site Selection report is available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530
Mr Mulherin said: “This is exciting news for the Tablelands with a new purpose-built facility to be built in Mareeba by December 2010.
“This new centre will be constructed beside the refurbished existing facility in Peters Street, Mareeba.
“Both buildings will then form the new Agri-science hub which will focus on Research, Development & Extension (RD&E), education and training.
“This will really put the spotlight on the Tablelands which will be home to a state-of-the-art regional research, training and services hub.
“It will increase our ability to attract and retain high quality, key staff.
“We are positioning DPI&F for the future. These changes are part of the Bligh Government’s Q2 vision to deliver world-class education and training and to create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.
“All current research programs and future research projects in the region will be met by this new centre and by retaining Walkamin Research Station along with 24.6 hectares at Kairi Research Station.
“This includes important research for existing industries including horticulture, field crops, forestry, pasture and seed production, cattle and dairy industries and future industries such as biocrops"
“In total we will be investing up to $8 million in the Tablelands and we will fund this by divesting some assets. All proceeds will stay on the Tablelands,” Mr Mulherin said.
The main points are:
• Establishing Peters Street, Mareeba as a leading agri-science research, training and services hub
• Walkamin Research Station (259 hectares) to be improved
• Four new extension officers to be employed
• Australian Agricultural College Corporation’s (ACCC) Mareeba campus to be relocated and incorporated into the Peters Street hub
• 24.6 hectares of the Kairi Research Station to be retained with the remaining 219.9 hectares to be divested
• The Kairi dairy herd will be offered for sale locally, the timing to be determined in consultation with industry.
• The 125 hectare Southedge Research Station to be divested.
Mr Mulherin said: “These changes will be phased in over a number of years. Employees affected by divestments will be offered retraining. No workers will be forced out of a job.
“There are great advantages to bringing together DPI&F’s regional scientific capacity in one location.
”The interactions between scientists, researchers, extension officers, teachers and students will create a rich environment of ideas, creativity and innovation.
“The new facility will also provide a central point for industry to interact with researchers and create partnerships, which in turn will drive innovation and sustainability.
“Industry will also have a single location to engage with government and access government services including DPI&F, Natural Resources & Water, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“As part of this major boost to industry development, DPI&F will employ two new extension officers to facilitate a farming systems approach in partnership with industry and other service providers.”
The iconic Tablelands dairy industry will also benefit significantly through:
• Two additional dairy extension staff to meet the industry’s needs identified in the recent discussion paper produced by the Far North Queensland Dairy Industry
• Better training services including skilling farmers in the use of the internet and other relevant technologies.
• Preparation of a Tablelands Dairy Development Plan to ensure no net impact on the milk supply on the Tablelands.
The Minister said the new centre would also provide a stimulus to agri-education and training.
“Consolidating RD&E with the skills and training delivered by AACC’s Mareeba campus will create better career pathways in agricultural science and attract the best and brightest minds,” he said.
“Students and trainers will have access to a wider range of resources through co-location with DPI&F and other government agencies at Peters Street.
“The delivery of Vocational Education Training (VET) will provide industry with technically competent, employable workers.”
“We will also develop strong links with the local high schools that offer agri-science courses.”
The Minister said industry, staff and other stakeholders were actively involved in the consultation process prior to today’s announcement. The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and Agforce were key members of the Steering Committee which consulted with the independent review team.
“Access to existing research facilities will be retained while new office and research facilities are being developed,” he said.
“Current research programs will continue until suitable alternatives are developed. For example, the mango genetic material at Southedge will be maintained for five years while future breeding capacity is developed at Walkamin.”
Kairi facilities will be maintained for a period of two years, during which time research capability will be transitioned to the 24.6 hectare site at Kairi.
The new plan for the Tablelands is part of DPI&F’s Fresh Approach program, which will see a number of research hubs developed in key primary production locations.
The expansion of the Peters Street, Mareeba site, and the retention of some existing field facilities was chosen as the preferred option after an independent review which looked at a range of issues including soil and climate variability, land availability and the potential for future agricultural opportunities. A copy of the Independent Site Selection report is available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Media: Mark Symons 3239 6530