Work on new $20 million agriculture research facility begins in Launceston

A new $20.2 million agricultural research and education facility will have its first sod turned on Monday at the University of Tasmania’s Newnham Campus.

The purpose-built Grow Facility, on the northern side of the Maritime College, will include a head house with control centre and office space, 800 square metres of glasshouse with temperature, carbon dioxide, humidity and light control and a polytunnel, netted grow areas and trial plot space.

It’s a project that’s been five years in the making, having been developed alongside the University’s transfer of the Tasmania Institute of Agriculture headquarters from Hobart and operations at Mt Pleasant in Launceston to Newnham and the development of a new three-year Bachelor of Agriculture and Agribusiness degree which will start next year.

The Grow Facility aims to deliver practical solutions for Tasmanian farmers, from developing climate-resilient crops and pastures, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and producing more food with fewer inputs.

Today TIA director Professor Mike Rose and Primary Industries minister Gavin Pearce planted a heritage apple tree in the adjacent 50 Trees Heritage Orchard to mark the milestone.

Professor Rose described the project as an important step towards achieving the Tasmanian Government’s goal to grow the annual value of the state’s agricultural sector to $10 billion by 2050.

“Agricultural research helps to remove some of the guesswork from farming,” he said.

“We test ideas and technologies in controlled environments before they are adopted by industry, leading to advances such as better pasture, healthier animals, resilient crops and more efficient use of water, fertiliser and energy.

“Ultimately that means stronger farm businesses and a more resilient agricultural sector.”

Professor Rose said the new facility will replace ageing infrastructure and bring together a range of experts under one roof including soil scientists, plant pathologist, entomologists, plant breeders and biosecurity experts.

“We will work with growers to develop crops better suited to future climates, improve protected cropping systems for industries like berries and strengthen research that supports Tasmania’s globally significant pyrethrum industry.”

Mr Pearce said as he talks to farmers who have issues around crop diseases and pollination he knows that the answers will come through research and development.

“I want to see this facility become part of Tasmanian agriculture, interwoven and well supported by industry,” he said.

“The data, input and advice from here could be the difference between a family business surviving or growing broke.”

Construction on the facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The project team includes Oliver Kelly Group as the principal contractor, Powerplants for the glasshouse and specialised equipment, and Apex as the glasshouse supplier. 

The facility has been designed by architects at Terroir.