AGRIBUSINESS

$9.9 million expansion underway at Muresk

MURESK Institute in Western Australia has received a $9.9 million expansion package to modernise essential agricultural training facilities at the site, in a two-stage project.

Staff writer
Muresk Institute's Lawson Harper and Laura Bryant, in Muresk's new shearing shed in WA. Image by Ben White.

Muresk Institute's Lawson Harper and Laura Bryant, in Muresk's new shearing shed in WA. Image by Ben White.

The expansion is part of the McGowan Government's $215.84 million investment in TAFE capital works project, which aims to deliver state-of-the-art learning opportunities for students in agriculture and boost the Western Australian economy by generating jobs.

The first stage of the project was to provide an $800,000 industry standard shearing shed, which is crucial to Muresk's role as a working farm and agricultural training provider.

The six-stand shearing shed includes sloped catching pens, a saw tooth raised board design to increase student viewing accessibility, as well as sloped let out chutes, LED lighting, ventilation, slide/swing gates and an abundant amount of floor space for wool storage and training purposes.

The second stage will expand Muresk Institute's facilities to include a new specialist Agricultural Machinery Training Centre, providing new workshops, classrooms, information technology laboratories and student facilities.

Muresk and Central Regional TAFE (CRT) have worked closely with industry in the development of the Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology apprenticeship, with first year training taking place this year at the CRT Northam campus, before moving to the new Muresk facilities from 2023.

Regional WA company, CBSC Yurra, constructed the new shearing shed, with the outside yards designed by Atlex and shearing shed yards from Proway. About 100 workers will be employed throughout the project at Muresk Institute, including apprentices and trainees.

Education and Training Minister, Sue Ellery, visited Muresk Institute this week, welcoming the start of construction for the Agriculture Machinery Training Centre and visitng the nearly-completed shearing shed.

Minister Ellery said: "Muresk Institute has been the home of agricultural training in Western Australia for almost 100 years, and this expansion will help to ensure that Muresk can continue to serve that purpose for a long time to come.

"It will continue to provide a pipeline of skilled workers for Western Australia's agricultural industry and maximise efficient and effective farming practices in order to stay competitive internationally," she said.

"The new agricultural training facilities have been designed following extensive industry consultation to ensure they meet industry standards and students are ready to start work in the agricultural sector." 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Farming Ahead team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Farming Ahead team.

editions

Research Report: Sheds

Sheds play a vital role in farming, offering shelter and protection for people, machinery, livestock and valuable inputs like chemicals and fertiliser.

editions

Research Report: Harvest Weed Seed Mills

The Report includes a round up of commercially-available batching plants as well as farmer-made approaches.

editions

Research Report: Agritechnica 2023

Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli went to Agritechnica, Germany. This report covers the key award winners from the event and some of the latest autonomous platforms displayed.

editions

Research Report: Fronting Up

This Research Report looks at harvester fronts including research and expertise from Kondinin Group’s Ben White, with input from harvesting specialists Brett Asphar, Kassie Van Der Westhuizen, Murray Skayman and Martin Reichelt.