THE Minns Government this week announced more than $60 million will be invested to deliver vital upgrades to seven research facilities and five emergency response sites across New South Wales to safeguard regional communities and the agriculture sector.

Speaking from AgQuip at Gunnedah during the week, Premier Chris Minns said he was forever amazed by the resilience shown in rural communities.

“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,” Mr Minns said.

“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.”

Research facility upgrades will support the 1600 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.

In the north-west and New England regions, 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.

NSW Premier Chris Minns gets the lowdown from Kenway and Clark CEO Pete McCann at AgQuip on Thursday (Image courtesy of Kenway and Clark).

Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said NSW Government research has helped the sustainable growth of agriculture, farming, fisheries and forestry industries for more than 130 years.

“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,” Ms Moriarty said.

RESEARCH FACILITY SITES TO BE UPGRADED

Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute

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