CSIRO have requested the National Capital Authority (NCA) to include the CSIRO Ginninderra Field Station Site as ‘Urban Area’ on the General Policy Plan for Metropolitan Canberra in the National Capital Plan draft Amendment due to be released for consultation in September 2015.
The Ginninderra Field Station is 701 hectares of land in northern Canberra framed by the Barton Highway to the north, William Slim Drive to the east, Owen Dixon and Kuringa Drives to the south and the ACT/ NSW border to the west.
CSIRO Business and Infrastructure General Manager Mark Wallis said much of the site had been identified by CSIRO as underutilised.
“CSIRO constantly reviews its property holdings to align with organisational priorities and science objectives to ensure investment in infrastructure meets these priorities,” Mr Wallis said.
“CSIRO requires fit for purpose facilities to allow us to continue deliver our science.
“Moving our field research to a new location allows us to consider other options for this land. In the case of a sale CSIRO would reinvest the revenue into other priority sites.
“Requesting this land to be identified as an Urban Area on the National Capital Plan Draft presents an exciting opportunity for Canberra.
“CSIRO welcomes feedback from the community. Community feedback will assist us in planning for the best use of this land as urban for the future of Canberra.”
CSIRO Agriculture Director Dr John Manners said the science conducted on the site would continue elsewhere.
“The Ginninderra site has contributed to major progress in Australian Science through the work of CSIRO’s programs in developing novel grains and sustainable and productive agricultural systems,” Dr Manners said.
“This includes the development of BarleyMax and dual-purpose wheats, as well as research with partners into crop and pasture improvement, sustainable farming, plant breeding and the effects of climate change on crop production and soil carbon.
“Our research will continue at a new site. Having the opportunity to start at a new site means we can implement the latest in sustainable farming science into our site and maximise utilisation.”
CSIRO are conducting neighbourhood drop-in sessions on the future use of the site.
The Abbey, Gold Creek Village, 12pm – 4pm, Saturday 19th September 2015.
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