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Progress for $10m Aquaculture Hub in Tasmania

Engineering consultancy pitt&sherry has secured key planning approvals for a $10 million Strahan Aquaculture Hub development in Macquarie Harbour on the west coast of Tasmania.

Predominantly based in Tasmania, salmon farming is a key growth area of the Australian economy, with the value of the industry increasing to $513 million in 2011/12, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Australian Fisheries Statistics 2012.

The report noted that since 2001/02, the value of farmed salmonids increased by 211 percent ($348 million), while production volume rose by more than 171 percent (to more than 27,000 tonnes).

A Tasmanian Salmonid Growers Association’s (TSGA) development, the Strahan Aquaculture Hub will support further growth for the industry and feature wharves, administration buildings and associated infrastructure. It will also enable the industry to move from its current base in the Strahan town centre to what is currently a remote area in the vicinity of Buoy Point and Smith Cove to the west.

The construction of the Strahan Aquaculture Hub received a $7.14 million grant through the Regional Development Australia Fund and is expected to create around 100 new jobs during construction and more than 150 jobs following completion of the facility in late 2016.

Andrew Buckley, national leader – food & beverage at pitt&sherry, said “This is a substantial project for Tasmania and, more broadly, nationally – it will result in a doubling of production in Macquarie Harbour over five years to an estimated $269 million annual farm gate value.

“What is currently a remote area of Tasmania will be transformed into a thriving business district that is expected to improve economic conditions for the region in a sustainable manner.”

Pitt&sherry secured the planning and environmental approvals required to commence development, and completed the civil, infrastructure and marine design elements.

TSGA is Tasmania’s peak body representing Atlantic salmon and Ocean trout growers.

 

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