Mr WARREN - 2007-10-09
I am sure we would all like to know whether the proposal to release land for housing at Berrimah Research Farm will have any implications on the research effort and capacity of your department.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. The Berrimah Research Farm has been occupied by the Australian and Northern Territory governments for well over 50 years now. Activities on that farm have changed considerably over time in response to the changing face of industry and directions industry has taken. The government has had to adapt with industry and cater for its own needs in that time.
The farm has evolved from a dedicated research farm in the past to the current headquarters for the administration and laboratory facilities for DPIFM. DPIFM will continue to run those two areas, research and administration, at the farm. They will be located at Berrimah within that eight hectare area that has been allocated as part of the plan. Programs that are currently run by DPIFM in crops, forestry and horticultural research will remain and continue in the interim. I understand the last program, which is a forestry program, will be finalised in 2010 so the programs will continue until that time.
DPIFM has developed eight other research and development farms and demonstration farms across the Territory over time. They have been established according to the varying climatic conditions of the Northern Territory over the vast expanse of our land, the land capabilities of the various regions, industry needs of all sectors and, of course, the industry regional development area.
To ensure there is going to be a smooth transition for the DPIFM area, a full-time staff member has been seconded to work with the various government departments who will be involved in all of the work to be undertaken, and work closely with the stakeholders to ensure that the needs of DPIFM and those stakeholders are identified and met.
The proposal to release the land will not reduce the research effort and capacity to provide strong service delivery for the people out there. I just want to reassure everyone of that: research will continue on the eight research farms and demonstration facilities dotted around the Territory. A lot of people will be worried about the cattle in the paddocks there. I can assure you that there is no research being undertaken on those cattle. The cattle are there purely to keep the grass down, so the land will be available for housing in the not too distant future.
The major Primary Industry laboratories and administration building will be in the eight hectare footprint, and there will be ample room to cater for all the needs of the research and administration facilities. The Northern Territory government is committed to the Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines area, especially in research and development. They will still play an integral role in the development of the Northern Territory to ensure that we do move ahead.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Goyder for his question. The Berrimah Research Farm has been occupied by the Australian and Northern Territory governments for well over 50 years now. Activities on that farm have changed considerably over time in response to the changing face of industry and directions industry has taken. The government has had to adapt with industry and cater for its own needs in that time.
The farm has evolved from a dedicated research farm in the past to the current headquarters for the administration and laboratory facilities for DPIFM. DPIFM will continue to run those two areas, research and administration, at the farm. They will be located at Berrimah within that eight hectare area that has been allocated as part of the plan. Programs that are currently run by DPIFM in crops, forestry and horticultural research will remain and continue in the interim. I understand the last program, which is a forestry program, will be finalised in 2010 so the programs will continue until that time.
DPIFM has developed eight other research and development farms and demonstration farms across the Territory over time. They have been established according to the varying climatic conditions of the Northern Territory over the vast expanse of our land, the land capabilities of the various regions, industry needs of all sectors and, of course, the industry regional development area.
To ensure there is going to be a smooth transition for the DPIFM area, a full-time staff member has been seconded to work with the various government departments who will be involved in all of the work to be undertaken, and work closely with the stakeholders to ensure that the needs of DPIFM and those stakeholders are identified and met.
The proposal to release the land will not reduce the research effort and capacity to provide strong service delivery for the people out there. I just want to reassure everyone of that: research will continue on the eight research farms and demonstration facilities dotted around the Territory. A lot of people will be worried about the cattle in the paddocks there. I can assure you that there is no research being undertaken on those cattle. The cattle are there purely to keep the grass down, so the land will be available for housing in the not too distant future.
The major Primary Industry laboratories and administration building will be in the eight hectare footprint, and there will be ample room to cater for all the needs of the research and administration facilities. The Northern Territory government is committed to the Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines area, especially in research and development. They will still play an integral role in the development of the Northern Territory to ensure that we do move ahead.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016