Stage one of $33m UQ Gatton CAAS development officially opened

The Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, today opened the first stage of a $33 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science at The University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus.

CAAS is a joint project between the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and UQ.

Mr Mulherin said the CAAS development would boast world-class research facilities in the areas of animal growth, adaptation, welfare, health and vaccines.

“These are key areas of strategic investment to ensure continued growth, diversification and protection of Queensland’s animal industries,” Mr Mulherin said.

“The Centre will not only encourage increased national and international collaboration between scientists in the developed and developing world but will also strengthen the interaction between researchers and industry and ensure that research and development leads to rapid practical outcomes.”

The first stage of CAAS incorporates grouped and individual animal pens for nutrition trials, a feed-processing shed, cattle-handling yards and large hay shed.

CAAS has been made possible by funding from UQ, DPI&F and the Queensland Government Smart State Research Facilities Fund.

The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science at the UQ Gatton Campus, Professor Roger Swift, said shared funding of CAAS was an excellent example of the scale of research infrastructure achievable with multi-institutional partnerships.

“The CAAS facility will greatly enhance the existing and planned animal infrastructure at the campus,” Professor Swift said.

“CAAS will provide advanced education and training for future generations of researchers and practitioners in the animal industries.

“The development perfectly complements the existing animal infrastructure at the Gatton Campus, which includes a modern dairy, piggery, poultry unit, equine centre and wildlife enclosure.

“Together with a planned $75 million re-location of the University’s School of Veterinary Science to the Gatton Campus, scheduled to be completed by mid-2009, the CAAS development will position Queensland as host to some of the best animal industries facilities in the southern hemisphere.”

Media:
Minister’s office 32396530
UQ Susanne Schick 0409 265 587.