GRDC investment a welcome boost

WAGGA WAGGA will continue to be on the cutting edge of agriculture research thanks to a $2.7 million infrastructure grant to Charles Sturt University from the Federal Government funded Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Nationals’ Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, said.

“Wagga has a proud history of grains research stretching back more than a century and that legacy will continue well into the future with the research that will be conducted at the world-class glasshouses and phytotron plant growth chambers to be built at CSU’s Wagga Wagga campus,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Sydney Morning Herald wrote in January, 1931, that some of the most popular wheats then in use at that time throughout NSW originated at the Wagga Wagga Experimental Farm under the guidance of William Farrer.

“The experimental farm has historic links to CSU’s Wagga campus, and I am sure the research flowing from this and future GRDC investment in our region will also one day be seen as extremely valuable to the ongoing prosperity of our vital agricultural sector.”

Mr McCormack welcomed the GRDC’s total investment package of $15 million, which will see the corporation investing in regional infrastructure for the first time.

“I think this breakthrough investment is a vote of confidence in the quality of our region’s research staff and the work they have been conducting over many years,” Mr McCormack said.

“I am sure it will open the door for increased private sector investment in agricultural research.”

Mr McCormack noted the GRDC recently announced an investment of more than $1.8 million in the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre to assist drought-proof field trials for cereals, oilseeds and pulses.

Mr McCormack also congratulated Charles Sturt University on its $300,000 contribution to the glasshouses and growth chambers and on being a leader in agriculture research.