The future profitability and security of Queensland’s multi-billion dollar animal industries has received a major boost with the awarding of a contract to develop the $33 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) at Gatton.
Leading private Queensland construction company McNab has been awarded the contract to construct the complex and will commence building in February.
CAAS is a joint project between the Queensland Department of Primary industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and The University of Queensland (UQ).
UQ`s Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science,Professor Roger Swift, said CAAS will be developed on the University’s Gatton campus and will boast world-class research facilities in the areas of animal growth, adaptation, welfare, health and vaccines.
“These are key areas of strategic investment to ensure continued growth, diversification and protection of Queensland’s animal industries,” he said.
“CAAS will encourage increased national and international collaboration between scientists in the developed and developing world.
“It will also strengthen the interaction between researchers and industry and ensure that research and development leads to rapid practical outcomes.”
Acting Director-General of the DPI&F Mr Robert Setter said CAAS would 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.
“It will have the potential to contribute tens of millions of dollars annually to the Queensland economy through the application of groundbreaking research and technological developments,” he said.
“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.
“DPI&F research at the Ecoscience Precinct will focus on improving the profitability of animal industries while minimising environmental impacts through innovative biological pest control technologies that reduce chemical use.
“At the Health and Food Science Precinct, Biosecurity will be a priority for DPI&F in protecting the livestock industry by allowing faster and even more accurate diagnosis of animal pests and diseases and their effective management.”
Professor Swift said CAAS would provide advanced education and training for future generations of researchers and practitioners in the animal industries.
“CAAS complements perfectly the existing animal infrastructure at the Gatton Campus, which includes a modern dairy, piggery, poultry unit, equine centre and wildlife enclosure,” Professor Swift said.
“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.”
“McNab have extensive construction experience in the agribusiness market and are proud to be working with the CAAS project team to deliver this unique facility” McNab Managing Director Michael McNab said.
Danny Rowe, McNab General Manager, Toowoomba and Regional said his team was “excited about delivering what will be such a rewarding project for not only McNab but also for the wider community”.
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.
Mr Setter said that CAAS had been made possible by funding from UQ, DPI&F and the Queensland Government Smart State Research Facilities Fund. Shared funding of CAAS is an excellent example of the scale of research infrastructure achievable with multi-institutional partnerships.
Media are invited to a signing ceremony tomorrow, Tuesday January 29 at the Executive Conference Room, Ground Floor, Primary Industries Building, 80 Ann Street, Brisbane at 3.30pm – please contact Susanne Schick 0409 265 587.
