More than $60 million will be invested to deliver vital upgrades to seven research facilities, and five emergency response sites across regional New South Wales.

Research facility upgrades will support the 1,600 staff undertaking research across the state in vital areas such as, animal nutrition, climate change, aquaculture breeding as well as biosecurity surveillance and responses.

Emergency response sites are regularly utilised as operation centres during times of emergency, including floods, bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks. Upgrades to these centres will improve the states capacity during these times of crisis.

Research and development are vital to the future of agriculture and primary industries in New South Wales, laying an evidence-based foundation which informs future planning for climate resilience, food security and growth opportunities.

Upgrades to be delivered include:

Improving the states resilience and response to climate change:

• Tamworth Agricultural Institute, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and Glenn Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory station will receive upgrades to glass houses which support climate impact research in crop and pasture species.
• Solar batteries will be installed at Tamworth, Orange and Narrandera, supporting the NSW Government's work towards Net Zero, and reducing the centres operating costs.

Strengthening the states biosecurity resilience and responses:

• This funding will allow Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and Orange Agricultural Institute to expand their insect storage and diagnostic testing facilities, to enable rapid detection of agriculturally important insects that impact the domestic and export trade of food and fibre products.
• Negative-air pressure systems will be installed at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute to enable research and analysis of highly virulent pathogens that pose a risk to agricultural trade of livestock including beef, pork and lamb.

Enhanced animal welfare and research:

• Tocal Agricultural Institute, in the Hunter Valley, will benefit from a state-of-the-art dairy facility that enables the highest animal welfare standard through an efficient and modern system using robotics.
• Port Stephens Fisheries Institute will receive upgrades to enhance breeding facilities for oysters and finfish which allows research to support innovation in commercial fisheries.
• Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute's small and large animal houses will be upgraded to increase their studies of animal nutrition and methane emissions research of sheep and cattle.

The New South Wales Government has also initiated a renewal of the sates Primary Industries Research Strategy to ensure it reflects the needs and priorities of regional New South Wales.

The existing strategy has not been updated in over ten years. In that time regional communities have endured drought, floods and bushfires, with climate change projected to have an increasing impact on the states primary industries.

Former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O'Kane will Chair a panel of independent experts tasked with developing a renewed strategy which ensures New South Wales continues to deliver world class research now and into the future.

The panel will consult with stakeholders, experts and the community with a particular focus on developing a strategy which ensures research undertaken:

• Reflects industry, community and Government priorities, including climate change, food security and cost of living.
• Promotes economic growth and community development in the regions.
• Improves outcomes for industry, the environment and the community.

An initial report to Government on the panels work is expected by the end of 2024.

Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales said:

"In this job I've been lucky to visit regional towns all across the state, from Lismore to Walgett what has stuck me is the incredible resilience of these communities.

"One of the best investments we can make as a government is into the vital research which ensures this resilience can continue.

"It's often unsung work, but the research being done in these centres is what allows New South Wales to have a thriving agricultural sector, without which our state cannot succeed."

Tara Moriarty, Minister for Agriculture said:

"For more than 130 years, NSW Government research has helped the sustainable growth of our agriculture farming, fisheries and forestry industries.

"We have invested in research infrastructure and activities to drive industry growth, the sustainable development of our natural resources, and to support innovation so that industry can manage the risks and take advantage of opportunities for the next century."

Professor Mary O'Kane said:

"This is an exciting opportunity to hear from researchers, stakeholders and industry on the future of primary industries research in New South Wales.

"Research and development is vital to the future of our primary industries sector and it's critical that we have a vibrant and modern sector that can help industry an community adapt to change and take advantage of the new generation of innovation and idea."

RESEARCH FACILITY SITES TO BE UPGRADED

• Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute [EMAI]
• Orange Agricultural Institute
• Port Stephens Fisheries Institute
• Tamworth Agricultural Institute
• Tocal Agricultural College
• Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute
• Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SITES TO BE UPGRADED

• Grafton Primary Industries Institute
• Glen Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory Station
• Trangie Agricultural Research Centre
• Narrandera Fisheries Centre
• Dareton Primary Industries Institute

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES RESEARCH STRATEGY PANEL MEMBERS:

• Professor Mary O'Kane AC (Chair) former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer,
• Daryl Quinlivan AO former Secretary of the Cth Department of Agriculture,
• Dr James Findlay, former Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and
• Dr Nick Austin, President of Australia's Policy Advisory Council for International Agricultural Research.

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