Bulletin

Issue: January/February 2008

News

$230m deal for world-class Biosciences Research Centre

Minister Helper and Vice-Chancellor Johnson shake hands after signing the agreement.

The University has finalised an agreement with the State Government to build a $230 million world-class agricultural Biosciences Research Centre (BRC) on its main Melbourne campus at Bundoora.

Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Helper and La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson announced this at a press conference held late last year at the AgriBiosciences Centre, a joint La Trobe - Department of Primary Industry (DPI) research facility for Australia's agricultural and biotechnology industries.

The new venture is being funded by a $180 million contribution from the State Government and $50 million from La Trobe. Up to 400 scientists from DPI, La Trobe, and the private sector will work at the centre, which is scheduled to be ready for occupation by the end of 2011.

Mr Helper said the centre would open up new opportunities for farmers by providing access to cuttingedge research to improve productivity, help fight disease and reduce environmental impact. 'It will focus newgeneration biosciences research on challenges including climate change and biosecurity preparedness,' Mr Helper said. 'The work undertaken will improve Victoria's international competitiveness by facilitating the development of new crop varieties increasingly focused on drought tolerance and bioenergy.

'It will also enhance our capacity for preparedness, rapid detection, response and management of plant and animal pest and disease outbreaks, which threaten Victoria's $8.4 billion agricultural sector.'

Professor German Spangenberg, Research Director of the AgriBiosciences Centre, right, shows Mr Helper and Professor Johnson examples of the type of frontier research that will be carried out at the new BCR for Australia's agricultural and biotechnology industries.

Vice-Chancellor Johnson said the University was delighted to be working in partnership with DPI and the Victorian Government towards developing a sustainable Victoria.

'This major initiative recognises La Trobe University's international standing in biosciences research,' Professor Johnson said.

'The Biosciences Research Centre will put the University within the top tier of Australian universities, and will boost the national and international profiles of both the University and Melbourne's North.

'The new centre will give La Trobe University students and staff new opportunities to work with the world's leading scientists within a state-of-theart research facility.

'It will attract and retain leading national and international scientists and collaborators, and further strengthen the State's international reputation for plant, animal and microbial bioscience, bioprotection research and diagnostics.'