- New $1.3 million purpose-built glasshouse to lift grains, pasture and horticulture research
- Revitalising State agriculture facilities to help WA's primary industries remain internationally competitive
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis has opened a new $1.3 million high-tech glasshouse in Albany for critical research to protect and grow Western Australia's valuable agriculture sector.
The facility at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's site features a controlled environment to enable year-round use by scientists across grains, pasture and horticulture agronomy, entomology and soils research.
Glasshouse studies complement field trials to isolate key variables not possible in the paddock and to better understand plant responses.
The fit-for-purpose building fitted with modern equipment will enable researchers to double the number of experiments and improve their success rate.
The facility will help open the door to more collaborative research with the public and private sector focused on WA production systems to benefit industry.
The Albany glasshouse will add to a suite of agricultural research facilities upgraded by the WA Government in recent years, including the Northam Grains Research Facility, South Perth diagnostic laboratories, Merredin laboratories and the Carnarvon Research Station.
The growth of the grains industry in the Great Southern and the south coast regions in recent years underscores the importance of having first class facilities that can assist with the challenges and the opportunities facing these local growers.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"The new Albany glasshouse will be a tremendous asset to grains, pasture and horticulture research in Western Australia, leading to more targeted and efficient outcomes delivered more quickly at a lower cost.
"This new building is a fully-equipped, high-spec, modern facility that assists our scientists to be at the forefront of agricultural research.
"Our Government continues to prioritise research and development, with extensive investments in infrastructure and assets across the State to assist our primary industries to remain internationally competitive."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens
"I am thrilled that the Albany office of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been chosen to house this critical piece of research infrastructure.
"The glasshouse highlights the Cook Government's commitment to keeping WA's world-leading agricultural sector internationally competitive."
