Work on the $50m Berrimah Farm upgrades is almost complete

A unique colour scheme is one of many standouts at Berrimah Farm’s science precinct. Read what’s there.

The government’s pre-election roll-out of projects continued afresh on Monday with a media tour of upgrades to the Berrimah Farm science precinct.

Agribusiness and Fisheries Minister Mark Monaghan took media around Berrimah Farm where the government has spent about $50m on new facilities since 2019 to replace the 60-year-old buildings out of which Territory boffins have previously been working.

Jaytex project manager Jess Gibson during in front of Agribusiness Minister Mark Monaghan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

So far three buildings on site have been completed with finishing touches now being put to the fourth, the $15.5m combined science services building, expected to be operational by September.

The apparently random paint-scheme has been taken from the previous 1970s-era building and, according to Mr Monaghan, replicates the DNA of a banana.

Contractor Jaytex has had more than 140 workers through the project so far, including fourth year carpentry apprentice Nathan Grant, who has been with the business since 2021.

“I’ve been learning from the foundations up how to build a building like this one here now,” he said. “After I finish my apprenticeship I’ll step into a leading hand role and then hopefully into a site management role.

“I’ve been here since April 2023 and it kicked off right from the get-go doing all the footings and slab, doing the block work and also doing the corefill for the block work.

“I pretty much learned how to develop my own skills around construction and hopefully progress to build my own house when I’m older.”

DIPL project manager Michael Baxter and Minister Mark Monaghan at the Berrimah Farm worksite. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The combined services building will house laboratories designed to quickly diagnose plant and animal diseases and identify new pests that could impact the agriculture and horticulture industries.

Mr Monaghan said the new building would streamline operations for scientists at the science precinct and the consolidation will reduce research time.

He said developing partnerships with the Commonwealth or private sector researchers could be challenging because of the lack of room and old conditions at Berrimah.

“We’ve built a capability that’s fit for purpose, and it’s now got the ability to bring in the expertise needed,” he said.

Jaytex project manager Jess Gibson said the development, which is at its final fit-out stage, was interesting in part because of its specialised nature.

“It was interesting making sure everything was absolutely sterile and perfect, there’s no little crevices it has to be absolutely perfect and sanitised,” she said.

“It’s been an interesting and tricky build, but its been really good to learn new skills.”

The government has been ridiculed for delays to major projects including the Darwin ship lift development, Mandorah jetty upgrade, the Barkly Regional Deal, the Warren Park rugby league stadium upgrade and the National Indigenous art gallery among others, and the walkthrough of the precinct came 60 days out from the election.