Bundaberg Agtech Hub

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The Bundaberg Agtech Hub is an exciting new facility supporting the vital agriculture industry in our region.

The Bundaberg Region has established itself as one of the nation’s food bowls and is a leader in agricultural innovation and technology. Bundaberg and the broader Wide Bay Burnett region is a significant producer of agricultural products in Queensland and Australia producing $1.5 billion Gross Value of Agricultural Production (GVAP) representing 12% of Queensland’s total agriculture production. Over 8,000 people are employed directly in the sector with an additional 2700 employed in processed foods and beverages.

That vibrant regional agricultural sector is now supported by the Bundaberg Agtech Hub, an exciting new facility that provides a home for developers and practitioners in a burgeoning regional agtech ecosystem that will see the region remain at the cutting edge of agricultural production in Australia.

The centre offers space for long-term lease where agtech contributors can network directly with Council, university research and development teams, natural resource management professionals and the private sector.

Functioning workspaces are also available in the Agtech Hub for licenced temporary occupation by visiting agtech collaborators which may include company representatives, agricultural consultants, entrepreneurs, government agencies and industry bodies.

The centre further provides facilities for workshops, forums, presentations, and events/functions.

Facilities

The hub itself is a Bundaberg Regional Council asset located at 160 Hughes Road, Bargara. The location is 1km from the coastline, approximately 14km from the Bundaberg CBD and in immediate proximity to the eastern-based farming community in the region.

The Hub contains:

  • 313 sqm available leasable space
  • Significant parking space
  • Boardroom
  • Kitchen and lunchroom
  • Small meeting room with kitchenette available for hire to the general public
  • Outdoor BBQ area
  • Foyer and reception
  • External storage sheds
  • Amenities
  • 24-hour secure building access

4. 40 sqm Available (licenced temporary working space)

6. 313 sqm Available


Full details can be found in the Leasing Proposal. Please email venues@bundaberg.qld.gov.au to discuss your requirements.


Cultural and Community Centre

The Bundaberg Agtech Hub is also adjacent to the Bargara Cultural and Community Centre. This Bundaberg Regional Council facility has the capacity to hold up to 155 people and can be hired for functions including trade shows, conventions and corporate events.


Why Bundaberg?

Blessed with one of the world’s most agreeable climates and encapsulating a diversity of landscapes from shoreline to hinterland, the 6400 square kilometres of the Bundaberg Region is unsurpassed for its liveability.

A dynamic and emerging Queensland city, Bundaberg is the centrepiece of the region which includes long established rural communities at Gin Gin and Childers.

Noted for its environmental excellence, pristine waterways and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Bundaberg Region showcases everything that nature’s palette can create. Agricultural pursuits the envy of the nation and iconic products that take the name of Bundaberg to the world - we are a community on the rise.


Agriculture; the major force in the Bundaberg region

Ag forestry and fisheries statistics for the Bundaberg Region 2019/20:

  • Employed 3,875 people, or 10.6% of the workforce.
  • 1403 ag businesses in the region, easily the largest amount of all industries.
  • Produced just over $1 billion worth of production.

The region’s agricultural enterprise mix is large and diverse, taking advantage of our fertile soil, amenable climate and stable water supplies to produce year-round in a relatively small geographic footprint.

It boasts the largest production of macadamias and avocados in Australia, close to 100% production of Queensland mandarins and produces nationally significant amounts of sweet potatoes and passionfruit.

The Bundaberg Region further boasts a robust grazing industry, intensive pork and poultry enterprises, multiple aquaculture enterprises, burgeoning berry production and remains a significant sugar and forestry producer.

This has facilitated the emergence of multiple large private and corporate agribusinesses, including:

  • Austchilli (chillies)
  • Greensill Farming (sweet potatoes and sugarcane)
  • Macadamias Australia (macadamias)
  • Marquis - (macadamias)
  • Nutrano Farms (citrus, berries)
  • Bundaberg Sugar
  • Stahmann Farms (macadamias)

Further, the region has been a leader in the expansion of vertically integrated agribusinesses that have developed food processing and food technology in fresh vegetables, avocadoes, chillies, soft drinks and macadamias for both domestic and export markets:

Examples include:

  • Farmfresh Fine Foods (vegetable value-adding)
  • Macadamias Australia (macadamia nut processing)
  • Marquis (macadamia nut processing)
  • Austchilli – High Pressure Processing. AvoFresh (cold-pressed avocado), Newfresh (chili puree)
  • Tinaberries (Gourmet ice cream)
  • Mammino’s (Gourmet ice cream)
  • Bundaberg Brewed Drinks (craft brewed soft drinks)
  • Kalkie Moon Gin Distillery (award winning locally established distiller)
  • Bundy Limes
  • Smokin Seafood Smokery


Bundaberg is the perfect place to land for agricultural investors and entrepreneurs across a broad spectrum of disciplines:

  • A vibrant, community-supported ag sector.
  • Climate conducive to year-round horticultural production.
  • Nationally unmatched ag enterprise diversity enables agtech developers to acquire data and adapt technology across a broad spectrum of agricultural enterprises in a relatively compact geographical area.
  • Intensive agriculture is adjacent to urban centres and extensive agricultural enterprises are readily accessible.
  • The intersection of the North and the South; 1 hour from Brisbane by plane; 4 hours by road. 4 hours by road to Toowoomba. 3 hours by road to Rockhampton.
  • The region is transitioning to high value agriculture – large, sophisticated farming enterprises that embrace best management practice and actively seek innovation.
  • A long-established sugar cane industry with a strong imperative to improve efficiencies along the supply chain.
  • Extremely proficient agricultural service providers with tech development capacity.
  • Sophisticated food processing sector that both uses agtech, and adds value (skills, knowledge and qualifications) to the agtech ecosystem.
  • The local campus of the top tier CQUniversity funded to deliver the Hinkler Agtech Initiative over the next 4 years.
  • Dedicated agtech facility at the Bundaberg Agtech Hub.
  • A strong history of innovation in the agricultural sector, including on-farm.
  • A committed Council with demonstrated and strong advocacy for economic development.
  • A growing bioeconomy sector.
  • A large, well-funded regional natural resource management body well networked with local producers.
  • Effective logistics infrastructure and services with huge potential for development in all modes.
  • Vigorously active representatives from all the major industry advocacy groups.
  • Active, industry supported, best management practice programs.
  • Effective local representation from supporting state and federal government agencies.
  • Liveability that only a regional centre in this geographical location can provide.

To find out more about how the Bundaberg Agtech Hub can connect you to the agriculture powerhouse that is the Bundaberg Region, email venues@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.

The Bundaberg Agtech Hub is an exciting new facility supporting the vital agriculture industry in our region.

The Bundaberg Region has established itself as one of the nation’s food bowls and is a leader in agricultural innovation and technology. Bundaberg and the broader Wide Bay Burnett region is a significant producer of agricultural products in Queensland and Australia producing $1.5 billion Gross Value of Agricultural Production (GVAP) representing 12% of Queensland’s total agriculture production. Over 8,000 people are employed directly in the sector with an additional 2700 employed in processed foods and beverages.

That vibrant regional agricultural sector is now supported by the Bundaberg Agtech Hub, an exciting new facility that provides a home for developers and practitioners in a burgeoning regional agtech ecosystem that will see the region remain at the cutting edge of agricultural production in Australia.

The centre offers space for long-term lease where agtech contributors can network directly with Council, university research and development teams, natural resource management professionals and the private sector.

Functioning workspaces are also available in the Agtech Hub for licenced temporary occupation by visiting agtech collaborators which may include company representatives, agricultural consultants, entrepreneurs, government agencies and industry bodies.

The centre further provides facilities for workshops, forums, presentations, and events/functions.

Facilities

The hub itself is a Bundaberg Regional Council asset located at 160 Hughes Road, Bargara. The location is 1km from the coastline, approximately 14km from the Bundaberg CBD and in immediate proximity to the eastern-based farming community in the region.

The Hub contains:

  • 313 sqm available leasable space
  • Significant parking space
  • Boardroom
  • Kitchen and lunchroom
  • Small meeting room with kitchenette available for hire to the general public
  • Outdoor BBQ area
  • Foyer and reception
  • External storage sheds
  • Amenities
  • 24-hour secure building access

4. 40 sqm Available (licenced temporary working space)

6. 313 sqm Available


Full details can be found in the Leasing Proposal. Please email venues@bundaberg.qld.gov.au to discuss your requirements.


Cultural and Community Centre

The Bundaberg Agtech Hub is also adjacent to the Bargara Cultural and Community Centre. This Bundaberg Regional Council facility has the capacity to hold up to 155 people and can be hired for functions including trade shows, conventions and corporate events.


Why Bundaberg?

Blessed with one of the world’s most agreeable climates and encapsulating a diversity of landscapes from shoreline to hinterland, the 6400 square kilometres of the Bundaberg Region is unsurpassed for its liveability.

A dynamic and emerging Queensland city, Bundaberg is the centrepiece of the region which includes long established rural communities at Gin Gin and Childers.

Noted for its environmental excellence, pristine waterways and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, the Bundaberg Region showcases everything that nature’s palette can create. Agricultural pursuits the envy of the nation and iconic products that take the name of Bundaberg to the world - we are a community on the rise.


Agriculture; the major force in the Bundaberg region

Ag forestry and fisheries statistics for the Bundaberg Region 2019/20:

  • Employed 3,875 people, or 10.6% of the workforce.
  • 1403 ag businesses in the region, easily the largest amount of all industries.
  • Produced just over $1 billion worth of production.

The region’s agricultural enterprise mix is large and diverse, taking advantage of our fertile soil, amenable climate and stable water supplies to produce year-round in a relatively small geographic footprint.

It boasts the largest production of macadamias and avocados in Australia, close to 100% production of Queensland mandarins and produces nationally significant amounts of sweet potatoes and passionfruit.

The Bundaberg Region further boasts a robust grazing industry, intensive pork and poultry enterprises, multiple aquaculture enterprises, burgeoning berry production and remains a significant sugar and forestry producer.

This has facilitated the emergence of multiple large private and corporate agribusinesses, including:

  • Austchilli (chillies)
  • Greensill Farming (sweet potatoes and sugarcane)
  • Macadamias Australia (macadamias)
  • Marquis - (macadamias)
  • Nutrano Farms (citrus, berries)
  • Bundaberg Sugar
  • Stahmann Farms (macadamias)

Further, the region has been a leader in the expansion of vertically integrated agribusinesses that have developed food processing and food technology in fresh vegetables, avocadoes, chillies, soft drinks and macadamias for both domestic and export markets:

Examples include:

  • Farmfresh Fine Foods (vegetable value-adding)
  • Macadamias Australia (macadamia nut processing)
  • Marquis (macadamia nut processing)
  • Austchilli – High Pressure Processing. AvoFresh (cold-pressed avocado), Newfresh (chili puree)
  • Tinaberries (Gourmet ice cream)
  • Mammino’s (Gourmet ice cream)
  • Bundaberg Brewed Drinks (craft brewed soft drinks)
  • Kalkie Moon Gin Distillery (award winning locally established distiller)
  • Bundy Limes
  • Smokin Seafood Smokery


Bundaberg is the perfect place to land for agricultural investors and entrepreneurs across a broad spectrum of disciplines:

  • A vibrant, community-supported ag sector.
  • Climate conducive to year-round horticultural production.
  • Nationally unmatched ag enterprise diversity enables agtech developers to acquire data and adapt technology across a broad spectrum of agricultural enterprises in a relatively compact geographical area.
  • Intensive agriculture is adjacent to urban centres and extensive agricultural enterprises are readily accessible.
  • The intersection of the North and the South; 1 hour from Brisbane by plane; 4 hours by road. 4 hours by road to Toowoomba. 3 hours by road to Rockhampton.
  • The region is transitioning to high value agriculture – large, sophisticated farming enterprises that embrace best management practice and actively seek innovation.
  • A long-established sugar cane industry with a strong imperative to improve efficiencies along the supply chain.
  • Extremely proficient agricultural service providers with tech development capacity.
  • Sophisticated food processing sector that both uses agtech, and adds value (skills, knowledge and qualifications) to the agtech ecosystem.
  • The local campus of the top tier CQUniversity funded to deliver the Hinkler Agtech Initiative over the next 4 years.
  • Dedicated agtech facility at the Bundaberg Agtech Hub.
  • A strong history of innovation in the agricultural sector, including on-farm.
  • A committed Council with demonstrated and strong advocacy for economic development.
  • A growing bioeconomy sector.
  • A large, well-funded regional natural resource management body well networked with local producers.
  • Effective logistics infrastructure and services with huge potential for development in all modes.
  • Vigorously active representatives from all the major industry advocacy groups.
  • Active, industry supported, best management practice programs.
  • Effective local representation from supporting state and federal government agencies.
  • Liveability that only a regional centre in this geographical location can provide.

To find out more about how the Bundaberg Agtech Hub can connect you to the agriculture powerhouse that is the Bundaberg Region, email venues@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.

  • Hinkler AgTech hub promotes innovation

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    The newly opened Bundaberg AgTech hub is already home to highly skilled professionals with expertise in research, testing, technology and data analysis.

    Located in Bargara at the former Council Service Centre on Hughes Road, the hub is home to the Hinkler AgTech Initiative, which will deliver new and innovative agricultural technologies under the Hinkler Regional Deal.

    The Hinkler AgTech initiative, based at the Bundaberg AgTech hub, is being led by CQUniversity’s Institute for Future Farming Systems.

    Director and team leader Professor Phil Brown said the hub would facilitate greater interaction between groups and foster an environment that supports agricultural technology development within the region.

    “The initiative will deliver increased productivity and profitability to the region’s agricultural sector through greater availability and utilisation of AgTech,” Professor Brown said.

    “The (CQU) initiative team has moved into the AgTech Hub because it provides the ideal facility for co-location of businesses and organisations involved in AgTech development, prototyping, evaluation and utilisation.”

    He said as more tenants moved into the space, CQU’s highly skilled team would be working alongside various AgTech providers, agribusinesses and researchers involved in AgTech development, evaluation and utilisation.

    “As more AgTech providers are attracted to the region, more regional agribusinesses will begin to trial emerging AgTech,” he said.

    “A range of research, development and testing opportunities will arise from these trials, ensuring that the AgTech product or service provides the optimal outcomes for the end user.

    “The development of a vibrant AgTech hub in the region is important in increasing the productivity and profitability of our agribusinesses and ensuring increased economic development and jobs growth throughout the agricultural sector.”


    BMRG joins Bundaberg AgTech hub

    The AgTech hub’s newest tenant Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) is settling in well, joining CQU and Greensill Farming Group.

    BMRG chief executive Sheila Charlesworth said their new location offered “enormous expansion and enormous opportunities”.

    “We have quite a lot of projects on the go presently, we now can actually include other people who shift into the AgTech hub,” Ms Charlesworth said.

    “Some of the people that work with Greensills on technology are already approaching us to work with our projects.”

    Ms Charlesworth said the Bundaberg Region was the ideal location for an AgTech hub.

    “We have some very innovative farmers in the region and some very high-end businesses, which are leading businesses,” she said.

    “They actually should be showcasing their inventions, what they're already using within their companies, particularly for macadamias, sweet potatoes, and also for avocados.

    “Then you have the environmental aspects, most farmers want to improve their properties because in actual fact, that improves the bottom line.”

    Both organisations agreed the opportunities for collaboration were an exciting aspect of the Agtech Hub.

    Professor Brown said his team already worked closely with other tenants of the hub.

    “These partnerships will continue to thrive throughout the initiative’s implementation,” he said.

    “It is envisaged that new tenants of the hub will emerge as a direct result of the initiative and the team will work hard at ensuring these and other tenants become part of a vibrant and sustainable regional AgTech ecosystem.”

    “It's what gets done here,’ Ms Charlesworth added.

    “The projects that actually are developed and the networks and the opportunities that will be provided by engaging with other likeminded organisations, not just in our region, but across Australia.

    “There's going to be more diverse stakeholder collaboration, because of the new tenants that are coming to the region.”

    CQU’s Hinkler AgTech hub team will be undertaking work under three key programs including data rich landscape, AgTech adoption and implementation and AgTech initiative virtual presence.

    The project has been supported through the Hinkler Regional Deal by the Australian Government and Bundaberg Regional Council.

    Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino said the project would boost agribusiness jobs in the region and be at the forefront of Ag-Tech utilisation, data analysis, research and testing.

    “The Ag-Tech Bargara project is facilitating an expansion in agricultural production and agribusiness profitability by allowing local industry to access the latest Ag-Tech at early stages of commercial release as well as provide jobs growth by attracting Ag-Tech to the region,” Assistant Minister Marino said.

    “The project will enable the trial and adoption of Ag-Tech on 50 farms across the region, engage over 20 Ag-Tech product and service providers, and generate over 25 direct jobs and a range of indirect jobs.”

    Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said delivering on the project was a key priority under the Regional Deal.

    “Future-proofing the region’s key agricultural industries through the latest innovative technologies will ensure the region is well positioned to continue to build on its agricultural heritage for decades to come,” Mr Pitt said.

    “This project, delivered by CQUniversity and its partners, will provide the information, data and knowledge that farmers need to maximise productivity, grow the food we need, and be at the forefront of agricultural innovation.

    “This project is already delivering with the rollout of the first technology on farms occurring in September, and now the opening of this new facility will accelerate this work.”

    Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey said locating the facility in Bargara would position the region as a key research and development hub for Ag-Tech implementation across Australia.

    “We have some of the most diverse agricultural production in Australia and the work being conducted by CQUniversity through their Ag-Tech initiative will establish a key facility to develop, test and implement new technologies,” Cr Dempsey said.

    “Bundaberg Regional Council is pleased to support CQUniversity through this initiative and bring together a range of key Ag-Tech players in the region to build on our strengths.”

    The initiative is jointly funded with the Australian Government providing $5 million, CQUniversity $1.26 million and Bundaberg Regional Council $0.75 million under the Hinkler Regional Deal.

    The project complements a broader push to deliver agricultural innovation in the region, with CQUniversity co-locating with similar organisations such as Greensill Farming and the Burnett Mary Regional Group at the Bundaberg Ag-Tech hub.


    Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

Page last updated: 23 Apr 2024, 10:34 AM