LABOR’S $20 MILLION UNI PLEDGE TO TRANSFORM THE HAWKESBURY INTO A GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY POWERHOUSE

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $20 million to transform the Hawkesbury into a global food security powerhouse, putting the region at the cutting edge of research on hardier crops, nutrition, and biosafety.

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman joined Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek at Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury campus at Richmond for the announcement earlier today.

“The $20 million will establish a new world class agri-technology research centre at Western Sydney Uni’s Hawkesbury campus,” Ms Templeman said.

“The Hawkesbury has a long and proud history in developing farming science and practice,” Ms Templeman said. “The centre will research new technologies to help local farmers and those in and around cities across Australia, get more of their great produce to market, faster. 

“126 years after Hawkesbury Agricultural College became the first agricultural college in NSW, it is fantastic to see the Hawkesbury continue to lead in this field.

“People outside the area may not realise our local dairy, beef, lamb, vegetable and fruit producers are already key contributors to Sydney’s food supply,” she said.

“The $20 million centre will help shore up food security locally, as well as nationally to make sure we have enough quality produce to feed our growing population.  

“This has the potential to put the Hawkesbury on the international map,” Ms Templeman said. “We know this kind of technology is in demand around the world,  so this investment has the potential to be a huge job creator as local know-how is exported across the globe.  “I understand the university is already collaborating with domestic and international partners on the project.

“The benefits of this investment will be fantastic for local producers and our community as a whole – we all benefit from a strong and sustainable local agricultural sector.”

Ms Templeman said the new research centre will expand on Western Sydney University’s 1700 square metre Glasshouse facility where crops are grown for research.

The Glasshouse uses the latest climate control technology.