• Charles Sturt showcased facilities and research as part of the Regional Cities NSW tour on Thursday 7 March
  

Charles Sturt University showcased its Wagga Wagga campus’s Global Digital Farm (GDF) as part of the Regional Cities NSW (RCNSW) tour on Thursday 7 March.

RCNSW comprises 15 regional cities from across the state with the common aim of investment that will build productive, liveable and connected regions.

On Thursday a group of RCNSW mayors and general managers toured the GDF - an integrated digital learning, innovation and research environment working within a full-scale, commercial, mixed farm operation.

Last week it was announced that the GDF will receive a $22 million investment from Charles Sturt over the next three years for various projects. This was part of an overall investment of more than $50 million by the University to revolutionise the Australian agriculture industry.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon PSM said being included in the RCNSW tour was validation of the University’s importance as an anchor institution in regional NSW.

“The Global Digital Farm in Wagga Wagga is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, and the delegation was impressed by the technology being demonstrated on-site,” Professor Leon said.

“Charles Sturt is proud to host this delegation to demonstrate how the University is providing an integrated learning, innovation and research environment in regional NSW.”

Chairman of Regional Cities NSW and Dubbo Mayor Cr Mathew Dickerson said “regional cities are stronger when we work together and this regional site tour is an important part of collective problem solving”.

“Southern New South Wales is in hot demand as a regional migration destination, because these regional cities offer a strong sense of community, good public infrastructure and a great lifestyle,” Cr Dickerson said.

Charles Sturt staff were joined by RCNSW attendees, including:

• Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council, Cr Dallas Tout
• Commanding Officer Kapooka Army Base, Col Timothy Stone
• Mayor of Albury City Council, Cr Kylie King
• Mayor of Griffith City Council, Cr Doug Curren
• RCNSW Secretariat, Ms Rachael Sweeney
• CEO Queanbeyan-Palerange Council, Ms Rebecca Ryan
• Mayor Dubbo Regional Council, Cr Mathew Dickerson
• Mayor Tamworth Regional Council, Cr Russell Webb
• Mayor Tweed Shire Council, Cr Chris Cherry
• Mayor Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Cr Kenrick Winchester
• General Manager Lismore City Council, Mr Jon Gibbons
• Mayor Lismore City Council, Cr Steve Kreig
• Mayor Goulburn-Mulwaree Council, Cr Peter Walker
• Mayor Armidale Regional Council, Cr Sam Coupland
• Acting General Manager Coffs Harbour City Council, Mr Chris Chapman
• Mayor Orange City Council, Cr Jason Hamling
• Mayor Maitland City Council, Cr Philip Penfold
• CEO Dubbo Regional Council, Mr Murray Wood
• Mayor of Coffs Harbour City Council, Cr Paul Amos
• Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Cr Jess Jennings
• Mayor Broken Hill City Council, Cr Tom Kennedy