Labor delivers $18.7 million for Tasmanian Defence facilities The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney, today welcomed Parliament’s approval of the $18.7 million upgrade to the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) facilities at Scottsdale, Tasmania.
Mr Snowdon said Scottsdale is one of Australia’s most important Defence facilities.
“The research and development in nutrition and rationing that occur at Scottsdale are key to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) current and future capability,” Minister Snowdon said.
“The project will deliver modern, functional food science research facilities for DSTO personnel, it will also include a new cell culture laboratory.
“This will enable Defence staff to provide nutritional outcomes that directly support the health and performance of Australia’s servicemen and women,” Minister Snowdon said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney said the $18.7 million funding commitment is further evidence that the Gillard Labor Government is supporting Defence in Tasmania and investing in local jobs.
“The good work done in food research at the Scottsdale DSTO facility is evidenced thousands of times every day when our men and women in uniform are provided with meals specifically formulated for their health and wellbeing,” Senator Feeney said.
Federal Member for Bass, Geoff Lyons said construction of the facility is planned to occur early next year, delivering a significant amount of work for local tradespeople.
“This $18.7 million project just shows Defence’s commitment to remain in our local community, delivering jobs and providing a valuable boost to the economy,” Mr Lyons said.
DSTO Scottsdale focuses on research and development in nutrition for performance enhancement, specifically, it works to improve rations and rationing for the Australian Defence Force.
The multi-million dollar investment will:
• construct a new, single storey, food technology building;
• re-develop the chemistry and nutrition laboratories;
• provide a new electrical reticulation system, heating/cooling and ventilation and new water mains;
• construct a ‘clean room’ facility;
• upgrade the accommodation, car park and landscaping; and
• build a new cell culture laboratory.
The cell culture laboratory will enable DSTO to use 21st century techniques to investigate the impact of nutrition on health and performance outcomes.
The new laboratory building will provide a pilot scale food processing plant, test kitchen and sensory evaluation, meeting room, constant temperature and humidity store rooms and laboratory spaces.
It will open up opportunities for Defence in the field of nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics is the study of how different foods can interact with specific genes to increase the risk of common chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.
The DSTO Scottsdale site will remain operational during the construction works.
Construction is planned to be completed in 2014.