SA politicians and industry have welcomed the news two Canberra-based national research agencies will open regional offices in Adelaide.
It is part of the federal government’s commitment to decentralisation; boosting local economies and creating jobs in regional areas.
Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce announced GRDC will open offices in Adelaide, Dubbo, NSW, Toowoomba, Qld, and Perth, WA, with half its staff located regionally within two years.
An office will also be established in Adelaide by the Fisheries Research & Development Corporation, with four to six positions.
Mr Joyce said the relocating agencies had a strong rural focus, which would benefit from closer links with farmers and research experts in the regions.
“It is logical that strong links should exist between the RDCs, universities and farmers on the ground in each industry.
Being geographically closer to the industries they serve will strengthen their relationships and help the RDCs better understand their individual industry’s needs,” he said.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture Anne Ruston says it is “welcome news” for her home state.
“As well as being close to vibrant farming communities, Adelaide also has some of the best agricultural universities and research facilities in the country.
“It is a logical move, as these two RDCs are focused on rural research—including grains, fisheries and aquaculture —and strong links should exist with universities and farmers on the ground in these industries,” she said.
State Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell and Opposition Agriculture spokesperson David Ridgway have both lobbied the federal government strongly for the R&D agencies since mid last year.
Minister Bignell says it is a “natural fit” with SA’s grains industry generating $4.8 billion a year – 28 per cent of the state’s food revenue, and $876 million from SA seafood.
“Adelaide's central location makes it an ideal hub for all Australian states and territories and will make it easier for people in both sectors to access the national research bodies,” he said.
“SA has some of the best seafood in the world and relocating the FRDC to SA would also provide a significant boost for the reputation and future development of the SA seafood industry,” Mr Bignell said.
Mr Ridgway described it as a “huge win” for primary producers bringing new jobs and expertise to the state.
“I’m pleased the natural advantages that SA enjoys in these areas of primary production have been recognised in the relocation of these research facilities,” he said.
Adelaide already houses the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, which is widely recognised as Australia’s leading grain research centre and has world class facilities for dryland agricultural research, including Minnipa Agricultural Centre on Eyre Peninsula.
Grain Producers SA chief executive officer Darren Arney says it is a positive step to have a “hub and spoke” model putting the GRDC close to the grower “coal face”.
“GRDC’s role is to fund research projects benefiting growers so to have some of these advisory roles closer to growers will increase the understanding of what some of the local issues are,” he said.
Mr Arney stressed continued investment in R&D was what was needed to keep growers “ in front of the game.”
“Given the poor finish it is remarkable the results and yields we got last year. You have to put it down to ag innovation and new technologies improving farming systems.”
