TIA Grow Facility

Building the future of agricultural research and education

This development is a major investment in the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture’s capacity to deliver industry-driven research and hands-on education, supporting innovation and addressing critical skills shortages in the region.

The agriculture sector is a pillar of the Tasmanian economy and has a farmgate value of $2.83 billion (Tasmanian Agri-Food Scorecard 2022-23). It is the backbone of rural communities throughout the state.

The TIA Grow Facility will be constructed at the University of Tasmania's Newnham Campus. It has been designed around industry needs and will deliver world-leading research and education, including the development of new technologies and knowledge to increase industry productivity and sustainability.

It will significantly strengthen our capacity to address the most pressing challenges in global agriculture including climate-resilient crops and pastures, soil health, biosecurity, and sustainable practices.

The modern, purpose-build facility will help to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders, farmers, and scientists, who are vital to the future of Tasmania.

TIA continues to be a statewide organisation with a strong presence around Tasmania, including staff located in each region and our world-class research farms in the North-West.

Read more about the transformation of the Newnham campus.

The development includes:

Controlled environment glasshouse

The purpose-built glasshouse is designed to give researchers the ability to precisely control environmental factors including temperature and carbon dioxide levels. This will unlock new research capability to enhance the agricultural sector’s resilience to climate change.

The specialised glasshouse compartments will enable research to develop crops and pastures that are resilient to future climates. It creates opportunities for new research projects to adapt horticulture, cropping and pasture systems for resilience and sustainability.

The glasshouse will enable studies on temperature effects on vernalisation and plant growth which is critical for industries such as the globally significant pyrethrum industry in Tasmania.

Central operations hub (headhouse)

The headhouse will support research and education activities in the glasshouse and outdoor growing areas by serving as a central hub for control, preparation and storage.

The headhouse will also include a multi-purpose area for teaching and industry engagement, giving valuable opportunities for hands-on experience in a real-world research environment.

Outdoor growing areas

Outdoor growing areas will enable small plot experiments in controlled environments including open, netted, and protected growing conditions.

Netted environments will protect sensitive trials from bird damage, while in-ground plots will enable small-scale field experiments, and a polytunnel will extend the growing season and allow experiments to be conducted over a greater part of the year.

Supporting infrastructure

Supporting infrastructure will include a glasshouse hard stand, an irrigation control shed, above ground water tanks, carparking spaces, bicycle parking, landscaping, security fences, substation, and civil works including roads and pathways.