The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) has announced plans for a $26 million-dollar research and education facility to be constructed in Northern Tasmania.
The facility has been purposefully designed to enable high-impact and commercially relevant research and specialised teaching for agriculture science. Features of the development include a glasshouse, multi-purpose research facility and a large space for in-ground trials including retractable roof growing areas and polytunnels. It will be constructed in two stages commencing in 2024.
The facility will be constructed at the University of Tasmania’s Newnham Campus as part of the new Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct (TAP). The TAP will enable the co-location of TIA, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and industry organisations at the University of Tasmania's Newnham campus.
We are combining agricultural science and research, water management, industry development and biosecurity functions to create a focal point for collaboration and excellence in Tasmania.
This will strengthen our regional capacity for industry collaboration and high-impact research, delivering on TIA’s mission to grow Tasmania’s agricultural industries while maintaining and improving our land and water quality for future generations.
Glasshouse
The 1100m2 glasshouse will have an advanced level of biosecurity and be equipped with the latest technology to control carbon dioxide, humidity, and a wide temperature range.
The glasshouse will enable diverse research for the benefit of Tasmanian farmers. This may include pest and disease management trials under future climate scenarios and climate change research for agricultural crops.
Multi-purpose research facility
The 1300m2 multi-purpose research facility brings a variety of functions under one roof, including seed cleaning, drying and storage, plant and soil grinding and drying, and large food grade cool rooms. It will enable seamless processing of samples direct from the field and glasshouse.
It has been purposefully designed for TIA’s activities and will be used by a range of groups including researchers in pasture, grains, soils, horticulture, and students.
Outdoor growing area
The outdoor growing area will enable students to undertake intensive research trials on campus. It will also support researchers to undertake high-value trials focused on enabling the sustainable growth of Tasmania’s agriculture sectors. A polytunnel and shadehouse will enable new research for Tasmania’s protected cropping sector.
The retractable roof growing area will enable new research to support important sectors, such as cherries in protected cropping environments. It will also support climate change research including the identification of drought tolerance cultivars in grain crops.
The facilities have been designed by architects at TERROIR in close collaboration with research and teaching staff at TIA. Sustainability has been a key focus throughout the building design process and this project has identified a target of at least a 30 per cent reduction in embodied carbon, and a focus on energy and water efficiency.
TIA remains a state-wide teaching and research institute with a strong presence across Tasmania, including staff located in each region and our world-class research farms in the North-West. The Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours continues to be available for students to study in Hobart and Launceston.
Read more about the transformation of the Newnham campus.