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Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct to deliver industry best practice

Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct

The University of Tasmania has entered into a MOU agreement with the Tasmanian government to deliver a new Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct in Launceston. 

The Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct will be based in Newnham alongside the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Agriculture. Tasmania will be the first jurisdiction in Australia to co-locate agricultural science, water management, industry development and bio-security functions in a single precinct. 

The Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct at Newnham will bring together the world’s best practice in one place, with continued services provided in the North-West and South for the farming and agriculture sector. 

With the agricultural industry employing over 7,500 Tasmanians, the University of Tasmania and the state government have chosen to aim for a target to reach a farm gate value of $10 billion by 2050. 

According to the most recent ABS figures released this month, the total value of Tasmanian agriculture jumped by 14.7 per cent compared to the national figure of 0.4 per cent. This includes a 27 per cent increase in crops and a 29 per cent increase in fruit and nuts. 

To maintain and boost this drive, the Tasmanian government will deliver: 

  • A partnership with the University of Tasmania to create a new nation-leading Tasmanian Agricultural Precinct in Launceston, with a satellite hub in Hobart 
  • Invest $15M into research facilities 
  • Move an additional 50 DPIPWE roles to the new northern facilities as well as co-locate about 140 existing DPIPWE Northern staff to the new precinct 
  • Expand the Strategic Industry Partnership Program with an extra $2M 
  • Activate 7.5 hectares of land for the development of more housing. 

The University of Tasmania and the state government will deliver the plan laid out during the election to secure Tasmania’s agricultural future. 

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