The Coalition Government has delivered on its commitment to relocate three Canberra-based rural research agencies to regional Australia, in a move that will boost local economies and strengthen communities.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce and Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, have today announced that the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will establish a regional office in Dubbo, which will strengthen links with farmers and research experts in the region.
Minister Joyce said decentralisation is not just an abstract idea but is a real priority for this government and today’s announcement is tangible evidence of this election commitment being put into action.
“I have accepted proposals from three Canberra-based Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) to increase their regional presence, which will boost jobs and growth in Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Toowoomba and other areas,” Minister Joyce said.
“These RDCs are focused on rural research—including grains, fisheries and aquaculture, and small and emerging industries—so it makes sense to locate them away from Canberra where the boots actually hit the dirt in their respective sectors.”
Mr Coulton said that the GRDC had agreed to establish a new regional office in Dubbo, in a move that will deliver long term benefits not just to Western New South Wales, but also for the growers that GRDC serve right across Australia.
“GRDC is proposing to eventually move half of its entire workforce out of Canberra and into regional areas, and I am confident that Dubbo will be a key location that will benefit from this decentralisation plan.
“As well as being home to vibrant farming communities, Dubbo and the wider region is already at the forefront of grains research so it is logical that strong links should exist between the GRDC, local researchers and farmers on the ground.
“Being geographically closer to the industries they serve will strengthen their relationships and help the RDCs better understand their individual industry’s needs.”
“We need to continue to develop parts of our nation outside metropolitan areas and Armidale is a place that is already exceptional in its research, particularly in agriculture.
“We’re committed to revitalising rural Australia, and relocating government agencies to regional areas is part of that commitment to boost jobs growth and investment in these communities.”