Australia: High-tech Greenhouses at the $288 million AgriBio Centre

On the 9th of April the AgriBio Science Centre was officially opened by State Premier Denis Naphine and Vice-Chandellor John Dewar after two years of construction, a great day for the Victorian horticultural industry. The AgriBio Science Centre is considered a very important asset in achieving the Victorian goal to double food and fibre production by 2030. The $288 first-class AgriBio complex will house around 400 world-leading scientists and is located in Bundoora, North of Melbourne.

For the AgriBio Project, Powerplants provided automated Irrigation, Fertigation, Rolling Benches, Fog systems, Thermal Screens, Roll-up wall systems Growth Lights and fully integrated Process Control systems at various locations at AgriBio. This Project incorporates the most sophisticated Irrigation and Fertilizer Dosing System in Australia.

With the size and complexity of the AgriBio Project came new challenges for the Powerplants team, including setting up two fully functional glasshouses on the roof of the main building.

The complexity of the project also meant working in and around many other tradespeople to ensure a smooth process and uninterrupted workflow during the construction phase. Working three stories up on Greenhouses was a challenge in itself, getting tools and equipment up and down three floors every day.

Now that the AgriBio Project is complete, the greenhouses and advanced horticultural systems are used for AgriBioscience research and educational purposes. The AgriBio centre in a joint enterprise between the Government of Victoria, the La Trobe University and the Department of Primary Industries. The main focus of the research is to protect the Victorian agricultural sectors by identifying methods to improve productivity, fighting crop disease and reducing environmental impact.

Established in 1994, Powerplants Australia is a privately owned company that has grown from strength to strength over the past 19 years to become Australia’s premier Greenhouse Technology supplier. With 35 employees, Powerplants continues to provide the technical needs of growers in all corners of the country.

Powerplants Australia can provide all facets of modern turnkey projects to any size, and is looking forward to some exciting new projects in 2013.

Powerplants Australia is based in Hallam, Victoria and can be contacted on 03 8795 7750 or via email at sales@powerplants.com.au or www.powerplants.com.au.