It proved to be a fruitful day in Griffith on Tuesday with sods turned and research revenue promised as John Barilaro, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, made the rounds around town.
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After a breakfast meeting with the Business Chamber, Mr Barilaro joined Member for Murray Austin Evans at the base hospital to officially turn the first sod, marking the next phase of redevelopment – the building of an ambulatory care hub.
The tender for the Stage One construction phase has now been awarded to privately owned company Project Coordination (Australia) Pty Ltd, with the hub expected to be completed in 2020.
The party was then off to meet with local citrus growers who, for around 12 months, have been working hard on a plan to expand a localised research at the Griffith Centre for Irrigated Agriculture (GCIA).
Mr Evans made the announcement of $300,000 investment – from a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government – which is estimated to see a return six times the size.
With the Riverina as Australia’s largest citrus producing region, the funding commitment will see MIA growers benefit from the latest research.
“It will allow for an upgrade to the centre’s existing irrigation system, ensuring the facility can support research trials using high-density plantings and hybrid pumping, as well as new technology such as robotic harvesting,” Mr Barilaro said.
It would see growers able to access to the latest research into new citrus varieties and growing techniques, “enabling them to address current and future market requirements.”
Secretary of the local growers’ association Vito Mancini said this centre could be the difference between “boom and bust” for local growers.
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And last but not least, Mr Barilaro made his way for the first time to the newly-merged Murrumbidgee Regional High School to mingle with the students and teachers, and found it the perfect location to make a surprise announcement.
“Today the premier has announced that we are going to invest $88 million dollars to go towards every single public high school having access to two counselors or psychologists,” Mr Barilaro said.
The move was met with praise from Principal Peter King, the four school captains and existing mental health support staff, who say this is a step in the right direction in tackling student mental health issues.
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