State Government and University of Newcastle celebrate new research collaboration

Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Newcastle (UoN), Professor Nicholas Saunders signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the relocation of NSW DPI Narara staff to the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Campus.

“The MoU puts in place an exciting collaboration between two great institutions with a track record of success in the field of research, development and extension,” said Minister Macdonald. “This includes the accommodation of more than sixty DPI staff and the construction of new state-of-the-art facilities at the Central Coast Campus.

“It will result in a critical mass of researchers focusing on key areas of importance to NSW – particularly in areas of mutual interest such as plant sciences. New technologies and research findings will reach the primary producers of NSW more quickly and efficiently under this new arrangement,” he said.

Mr Macdonald described staff from DPI’s Gosford Primary Industries Institute at Narara as leaders in market access and greenhouse horticulture research. “Examples of current research include greenhouse vegetable production, new green tea varieties, improved fruit fly management, and increased market access,” he said.

Member for The Entrance, Grant McBride welcomed the move. “In addition to research efforts, these DPI staff will help supervise PhD students studying plant sciences at the Ourimbah campus,” said Mr McBride. “Staff from both DPI and UoN will also be able to undertake research activities at the Somersby field station. While the new laboratory and technical facilities will be at Ourimbah, retaining the 67 ha Somersby field station will continue to attract and enable the continuation of scientific projects relevant to the Central Coast region,” he said.

Read more about the Gosford Horticultural Research Station's important role in the Central Coast's citrus industry here.

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