AusAgritech is shaping the future of Agritech in Australia and its contribution to the Australian economy. Agritech is a standalone sector which applies technology to the agri-food supply chain, and contemporaneously crosses over into energy, water, sustainability, environment, climate, industry and emissions reduction.

Our world leading Agritech sector is on the frontline enabling on-farm and supply chain adoption of technology, as well as building a clean, green and sustainable future. It is the cornerstone of transforming the way we farm, how the supply chain operates, drives a world leading export reputation and is a key enabler of sustainability and climate adaptation through the development of commercial and scaled applied technology solutions.

The Agritech industry powers Australia when it strives to reach its national level agricultural productivity, export, sustainability and digitilisation goals.

We exist to bring the Agritech ecosystem to the table to grow a vibrant sector.

The Australian Cobotics Centre is funded via a grant from the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council's Industrial Transformation Research Program, and its industry and university partners.

The centre is a multidisciplinary and multi-industry collaboration with partners from a range of industries including medical devices and steel making and academics from different universities (and disciplines including Engineering, Business, Health and Design.

Our core values reflect who we are and how we approach our work. Everything we do is EPIC: • Excellent – World leading research with transformational outcomes for industry. • People-centric – Positive, inclusive and supportive people building a workforce for the future. • Innovative – Forward thinking solutions created for industry through interdisciplinary research. • Collaborative – Multi-sector and multi-disciplinary expertise unified in a shared goal to improve the Australian manufacturing industry.

Our vision is to transform the Australian manufacturing industry and increase global competitivity through the deployment of collaborative robots.

The Australian National University is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and institutes.

The Australian seaweed industry is small: currently valued at an estimated GVP of AUD $3 million. Of this, the majority is from one company, Kelp Industries Pty Ltd on King Island in Tasmania, who collect storm-cast Bull Kelp (Durvillea pototorum) predominantly for export to a large alginate manufacturer and for use in biofertiliser products.

Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows seaweed exports from Australia are valued at $1.5 million for non-human consumption and it is assumed that this is almost entirely from Kelp Industries exports.

There are currently no commercial ocean seaweed farms in Australia and only two small land-based operations for Ulva spp. cultivation in Shoalhaven, NSW (Venus Shell Systems) and Ayr, QLD (Pacific Biotechnology). Both of these operations each have less than five hectares of seaweed under production.

Two Australian seaweed product manufacturers of note are Seasol, who make a biofertiliser from Australian Bull Kelp, and Marinova who manufacture fucoidan extract from largely imported seaweeds for the health and nutrition market. There are also a small number of boutique food product producers using some Australian and imported seaweeds, such as Alg Seaweed.

But much of the recent commercial interest has been sparked by the discovery that a group of native Australian seaweeds, Asparagopsis spp., can reduce the methane emissions from cattle by 99% when as little as 2% is added to their feed (Kinley et al., 2016; Machado et al., 2016). This discovery is being commercialised by FutureFeed Pty Ltd, which was established by CSIRO to hold the exclusive rights to the patents from CSIRO, James Cook University and Meat and Livestock Australia.

As there is currently no large-scale commercial cultivation of this seaweed anywhere in the world, there is now a global race to begin large scale cultivation. FutureFeed will work with partners across the value chain to bring this product to market: establishing the production supply chain, processing, storage, distribution, QA, certification, marketing and carbon credit methodology. In Australia, there are two new entrants: 1) CH4 Global in South Australia and 2) Sea Forests in Tasmania. This is a fast-emerging, major opportunity for growth of the Australian seaweed industry and is discussed in the next section.

Semiconductors, often referred to as ‘chips’, are the electronic ‘engines’ underlying almost all technology applications, and hence a significant proportion of regional, national and global industry development, economic performance and growth. Chips perform all the calculations in computers (digital logic), industrial control systems in manufacturing, traffic control systems, medical devices, aircraft, to name but a few applications and markets. Other kinds of chips store data, as memory, in computers, servers and data centres. Still other types of chips create and receive radiofrequencies (RF) as the backbone of all wireless communication systems.

The semiconductor sector is a global engine for technology, economic and social progress within high participant countries. The semiconductor global value chain is among the most complex, capital intensive, extended and dynamic of any industry. It is intrinsically linked to the performance of high technology, which drives much of our digitally dominated present and future. Increasingly the sector is also seen as an important theatre of national and international security concern.

Australia’s semiconductor sector is relatively small compared to some other economies, but Australia is not without areas of strength and strategic significance. With a long-term view and commitment, there is potential for NSW and Australia to increase their participation in the global semiconductor value chain. The very dynamism and change which has characterised the last 40 years of the semiconductor industry – and allowed countries such as Taiwan and Singapore to emerge and prosper – will only increase over the next 40 years. This presents an opportunity for new participants, such as Australian firms with new products, processes or business models, to enter and prosper in the global semiconductor value chain and related industries.

Australia has capabilities along most of the space industry supply chain. By far the strongest areas are in applications where Australia has experience in integrating space sourced data into communications, Earth Observations from Space and Global Navigational Satellite Services (GNSS).

Manufacturing
Australia has no capability in the manufacture of large satellites and limited capability in design and specification of launch vehicles. However it does have capability in the specification and design of communications satellites through Optus and an emerging capability in the design and manufacture of nano- and micro-satellites in universities and emerging start-up companies.

Manufacturing of satellite sub-systems is an emerging capability that has good prospects. This includes high performance optics, radio communications systems, optical communications systems and on-board data handling. Many of these activities build on Australia’s capability in the manufacture of ground-based optical systems for astronomy, satellite laser ranging and space debris tracking.

Sport is part of the cultural identity of many Australians.

In Australia, sports and recreational organisations attract more volunteers than any other type of organisation.

Major sporting events – grand finals, international cricket, grand slam tournaments, surfing competitions and cycling challenges – as well as less watched events – weekend matches, morning and afternoon training sessions and amateur competitions – fill calendars and recreational time.

Sport isn’t just a favoured pastime for Australians. It is a significant contributor to the Australian economy.

Since its creation in 1989, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has worked with over 2000 communities throughout Australia and overseas seeking to facilitate fresh and creative ways that stimulate community and local economic renewal. Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has undertaken assignments in 59 countries.

Bank of I.D.E.A.S. staff are motivated by the desire to create caring, healthy, inclusive, sustainable and enterprising communities and local economies. Subsequently, BOI specialises in initiatives to strengthen community building, local economic development and youth empowerment.

A city defined by an arid climate, transitioning to a Water Sensitive City is a crucial step to becoming a resilient, climate-adapted city that can respond constructively to the current climate emergency.

Critical to the future of Whyalla’s socio-economic growth will be access to - and supply of - potable water, as well as water to complement local industry needs, such as proposed hydrogen production, ongoing mining and Greening Whyalla Program.

Green cities reduce consumption of resources such as water and electricity and increase liveability. Increased tree canopies have a cooling effect on the ‘urban heat island’ effect which can mean a city is up to ten degrees Celsius hotter than the surrounding countryside. Green cities across the globe are attractive centres for private sector investment.

The Barossa, Gawler, Light and Adelaide Plains areas have a rich cultural and art tradition. Art Music Design is a meeting place for all working in the creative industries - artists, musicians, designers, dancers, theatre makers, writers and more.

The Barossa Creative Industries Centre plans to repurpose and add to the historic Barossa Regional Gallery to create a cultural hub and creative industry precinct to be a cultural beacon that truly showcase the heritage, culture and creative industries of the world renowned Barossa community.

Wine and associated industries, livestock, grain, pulses and horticulture, plus tourism are the main industries in the region.

The Barossa is a world-class region of fine wine endeavour based on a unique story of generations, inheritance and hallowed ground. The Barossa is a home to some of the oldest Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon vineyards in the world.

The Barossa Region is SA’s food and wine tourism flagship well supported by trails for cycling, walking and riding. Colonial heritage and culinary traditions inspired by early settlers are alive and well, and modern reinventions have sparkled interest in cultural food experiences including cooking schools, artisan products, farmers markets and restaurants.

Three major contributors to the Region`s agricultural output are broadacre cropping, livestock and fruit production.

The Barossa Region has a rich cultural and historical affinity with horses and a strong growing industry. The Barossa Region is home to a state-of-the art Equine Health and Performance Centre situated in the Roseworthy Campus of the University of Adelaide.

Barossa Regional University Campus helps students access higher education without having to leave their community.

TAFE SA Barossa Valley campus offers courses that have been developed in collaboration with industry to ensure we meet the training and education needs of the local community.

Study areas include pathway courses, aged and disability services, agriculture, automotive, building trades, children’s education, conservation and ecosystem management, cookery, horticulture, hospitality, nursing, viticulture and wine and spirits.

The state-of-the-art Equine Health and Performance Centre is located on the Roseworthy Campus. The centre provides the highest standard of equine veterinary care, housing a number of specialist veterinarians, general practitioners, technicians and staff.

Wine and associated industries, livestock, grain, pulses and horticulture are the main industries in the region.

The Barossa is a world-class region of fine wine endeavour based on a unique story of generations, inheritance and hallowed ground. The Barossa is a home to some of the oldest Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon vineyards in the world.

Although Barossa is famous for its Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon has been a classic red grape variety in the region. The beginning of the autumn in the Barossa Valley, in March, is often the time period for the grape harvest.

Is Australia’s housing crisis self-inflicted? If so, then we need a series of reforms to reverse it
The best long-term solution to the structural problems of the rental crisis is to build more public and/or affordable housing.

Make renting more Sustainable. Increase rent assistance or look at rental caps, similar to countries in Europe and some US states, long term tenancy agreements with incentives for all parties to the agreement.

Build to Rent
The Build to Rent property sector is growing in Australia – this new class of housing is focused on providing high quality purpose designed and built rental stock, creating an additional housing choice for Australian renters with greater security and service.

Build to Rent developments are typically owned by institutional investors for the long term and the owner could be the developer/ongoing building manager. The format provides tenants with the flexibility of renting with the security of home ownership.

Build-to-Rent developments are usually large-scale residential properties specifically designed, built and managed for long-term ownership and rental.

Social Housing
In the 40 years between 1981 and 2021 the percentage of all Australian households living in social housing (i.e. state owned and managed public housing or community managed housing) has ranged from 4.9 per cent in 1981 to 3.8 per cent in 2021. Such a drop in the proportion of social housing raises the question of has Australia achieved the balance right, and also just what is the right level of social housing for Australia?

In 2018 Statistics Canada said 628,700 Canadian households, more than one in ten renter households nationally (13.5% of 4,652,500), were living in social and affordable housing.
In New Zealand, as of 30 June 2021, there were 74,337 public housing households. This equates to 4.0% of households living in social housing.

In England (in 2018) 17% of households (3.9 million) lived in social housing, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes that 1.2 million households live in public housing, which is 0.98 per cent of all housing.

The Barossa is an internationally-acclaimed wine region encompassing the towns of Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa. From tasting the official best wine in the world, to sipping a local drop that's as old as you or soaring over some of the oldest vines in the world, discover it all in the Barossa. Wander into over 80 cellar doors, tasting some of the most awarded wines in the world and digging into sumptuous local produce.

The Barossa is a beautiful region filled with lush gardens, national parks, walking, biking and hiking trails as well as wildlife sanctuaries. Mengler's Hill Sculpture Park is a must-visit, and you can get up-close and personal with native wildlife at Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park. Discover the region's history along the Barossa Goldfields Walking Trail or trek through the Hale Conservation park.

Advanced Waste to Resource Processing is the alternative available to South Australia to decrease waste to landfill and stop ocean waste disposal. AWRP solutions are proven technologies that recover valuable materials for reuse and repurpose or produce energy from waste.

Is Australia’s housing crisis self-inflicted? If so, then we need a series of reforms to reverse it
The best long-term solution to the structural problems of the rental crisis is to build more public and/or affordable housing.

Make renting more Sustainable. Increase rent assistance or look at rental caps, similar to countries in Europe and some US states, long term tenancy agreements with incentives for all parties to the agreement.

Build to Rent
The Build to Rent property sector is growing in Australia – this new class of housing is focused on providing high quality purpose designed and built rental stock, creating an additional housing choice for Australian renters with greater security and service.

Build to Rent developments are typically owned by institutional investors for the long term and the owner could be the developer/ongoing building manager. The format provides tenants with the flexibility of renting with the security of home ownership.

Build-to-Rent developments are usually large-scale residential properties specifically designed, built and managed for long-term ownership and rental.

Social Housing
In the 40 years between 1981 and 2021 the percentage of all Australian households living in social housing (i.e. state owned and managed public housing or community managed housing) has ranged from 4.9 per cent in 1981 to 3.8 per cent in 2021. Such a drop in the proportion of social housing raises the question of has Australia achieved the balance right, and also just what is the right level of social housing for Australia?

In 2018 Statistics Canada said 628,700 Canadian households, more than one in ten renter households nationally (13.5% of 4,652,500), were living in social and affordable housing.
In New Zealand, as of 30 June 2021, there were 74,337 public housing households. This equates to 4.0% of households living in social housing.

In England (in 2018) 17% of households (3.9 million) lived in social housing, while the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes that 1.2 million households live in public housing, which is 0.98 per cent of all housing.

High value manufacturing is one promising prospective growth sector for the region, particularly in Geelong. The sector provides an opportunity to retain the depth of Geelong’s manufacturing know-how and use those skills for different applications, such as automotive and aeronautical parts design and production, clean technologies and advanced fibre manufacturing.