Glen Innes Agricultural Research & Advisory Statio

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Glen Innes Agricultural Research and Advisory Station
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Speakers - Torbay Mr Richard
Business - Private Members Statements, PRIV
GLEN INNES AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND ADVISORY STATION
Page: 11575

Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands—Speaker) [2.28 p.m.]: The State mini-budget this week was marked by a series of arbitrary decisions that reflect poorly on the Government's policy-making processes. A slash-and-burn strategy to chase a credit rating that most experts believe is pointless is bad enough. But when these decisions are hastily made and come at the expense of long-term research projects vital to the country and the planet, we must question the judgement of those responsible. Today I am referring to the proposed closure of the Glen Innes Agricultural Research and Advisory Station. Perhaps members will be surprised to hear that this Government research station has been recording soil carbon levels since 1934 as part of its crop rotation experiments. I have been told that it is one of a very small number of research facilities in the world to have carbon records reaching back that far. This data is invaluable as it dates back to well before there was any serious consideration of the phenomenon of global warming.

Soil carbon readings are vital to climate change science and to have such a wealth of information to hand at the Glen Innes station is of enormous value. Any right-minded person would say that the readings should continue and the research capacity of the station be expanded to capitalise on the work already undertaken. I call on the Government to reconsider its position on closing the Glen Innes ag station, as it is known locally. I suggest that instead it should seek industry and Commonwealth Government partnerships to expand existing research work to focus on climate change and the environment in particular. It should employ the existing research officer at the station and the 16 other support staff members, and look at taking on further staff as the research projects grow. The sudden decision to close the facility has outraged the local community. Relocating 16 families to Tamworth, as has been proposed, would have a devastating effect on the Glen Innes district.

Until recently the station had two eminent researchers. The head researcher, Dr John Ayres, has only just retired. Advisory services to the rural community employ five people, the research centre employs up to seven people and farm management services employ four people. In its current form the facility benefits from economies of scale between the advisory, research and farm staff, which also allows for integration and for all units to remain grounded in production agriculture. Significant research has been undertaken at the station, particularly into clover and trefoil. Further work is needed to complete these projects. The station also undertakes joint integrated research partnered by the University of New England and private companies as part of the Sheep and Beef Cooperative Research Centres.

Last year the agricultural station conducted 54 workshops and field days, its staff produced seven journal publications and it attracted four new alliances within the industry. It is Australia's sole dry land pasture research station for the temperate perennial grass and legume zone, and it is a national breeding station for perennial legumes such as white clover, birds foot trefoil and tall fescue. The station conducts agronomy research to improve the feed base for sheep and cattle in temperate grazing systems and natural resource management. The station works closely with industry and the community through its extension courses and workshops and won a 2007 Cooperative Research Centres Association of Australia award for excellence in innovation for its role in beef profit partnership groups with graziers in the Northern Tablelands. It currently runs the merino bloodline evaluation project to assess the commercial value of genetic improvements through sheep breeding.

The station also works with farmers and catchment management authorities on wetland management on farms. Funding partners include Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, the National Heritage Trust, Land and Water Australia, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and private companies co-investing in pasture breeding. There are also a large number of alliances with government and private partners in other major programs. The agriculture station was established in 1902, and between 1912 and 1942 was a centre for youth education in agriculture.

Among its students were the Dreadnought Boys, English boys brought to Australia to be trained in farm work. Not long ago I toured the station and was impressed with its historic buildings, the dedication of its staff, the scale of research projects and the level of service it provided to the community. A facility like that should not be closed. I ask the Government to work with the local community, stakeholders, partners, the private and public sectors to strengthen the Glen Innes Agricultural Research Station so that it can continue to deliver the important services this nation so much needs at this time in history.

Question—That private members' statements be noted—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Private members' statements noted.
The House adjourned at 2.33 p.m. until Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 1.00 p.m