The Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) is a joint project between the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F), the University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland Government Smart State Funding. CAAS is on the university’s Gatton campus and boasts world-class research facilities in the areas of animal growth, adaptation, welfare, health and vaccines. It is a key area of strategic investment to ensure continued growth, diversification and protection of Queensland’s animal industries.
CAAS is expected to encourage increased national and international collaboration between scientists in the developed and developing world, strengthening the interaction between researchers and industry and ensuring that research and development leads to rapid practical outcomes.
CAAS will make a major contribution to the Queensland Government’s R&D Priorities in developing smart industries, safeguarding Queensland and its environment, and capitalising on the advantages offered by a tropical climate.
The development has the potential to contribute tens of millions of dollars annually to the Queensland economy through the application of groundbreaking research and technological developments.
CAAS is part of a major redevelopment of research facilities in Queensland. It will be a centre of DPI&F research in the areas of animal production, health and welfare and biosecurity and will link to the proposed development of an Ecoscience Precinct at Boggo Road and a Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains, Brisbane.
CAAS will also provide advanced education and training for future generations of researchers and practitioners in the animal industries, complementing perfectly with the existing animal infrastructure at the Gatton Campus, which includes a modern dairy, piggery, poultry unit, equine centre and wildlife enclosure.
Proximity to the Brisbane research facilities and an international airport, together with Queensland’s respected animal scientists ensure that CAAS will increase collaboration and visits by other leading animal researchers. There is no comparable centre elsewhere in Australia.
Animal industries are vital to the economic, social and environmental wealth of Queensland. They contribute in excess of $4 billion annually in gross production value and are underpinned by an investment in people, infrastructure and resources in the vicinity of $25 billion. They provide major employment in rural and regional Queensland and are an important part of the human capital of Queensland.
The final cost of CAAS is almost $33 million, consisting of nearly $12 million each from DPI&F and UQ and $9.5 million from the Queensland Government Smart State Research Facilities Fund. The Centre for Advanced Animal Science is a Blueprint for the Bush initiative undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
