Petition calls for Alstonville research centre to remain open
Member for Ballina Don Page is circulating a petition calling on the State Government to rethink its planned closure of the Alstonville Tropical Horticulture Centre.
Speaking after visiting the centre today with Nationals Federal Leader Warren Truss and Nationals Senator Fiona Nash, Mr Page said the New South Wales Government needs to immediately rethink its plans to close the centre.
He said the Tropical Horticulture Centre is recognised by the State Government as the key facility in New South Wales that supports sub-tropical horticulture.
“To lose that sort of facility would be a terrible blow to horticulture, not only in northern New South Wales, but the rest of the State,” Mr Page said.
“Staff at the Research Station specialise in sub-tropical crops including macadamias, bananas, avocados, passionfruit, low-chill stone fruit, custard apples and, more recently, blueberries.
“Their expertise is immense and valuable and some of the research being carried out there is ground-breaking in terms of environmental sustainability. We must not lose this.
“For example, an entomologist is looking at how to find more natural solutions for controlling insect pests, while other researchers are focusing on things like reducing erosion and improving the health of soils.
“I am strongly opposed to closing the Alstonville Tropical Fruit Research Station – it is a short-sighted move to help plug the State Government’s deficit but it will have long-term implications for horticulture on the North Coast.”
Mr Page said he was circulating the petition calling on the Government not to close the centre, and already hundreds of people had signed it.
“I urge people to sign the petition so I can table it when Parliament resumes next week,” he said.
“The New South Wales Government needs to realise how much the horticulture industry is worth to the North Coast – macadamias alone are worth around $100 million a year in income.
“I am seeking a meeting with the Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, to try to convince him to look at what we can do to save more than 40 years of study at the Alstonville Tropical Horticulture Centre and the intellectual and practical expertise which has been generated by staff.”
For copies of the petition go to donpage.com.au to download, and return signed petitions to Don Page’s Office at PO Box 1018, Ballina, NSW, 2478.
