The Federal government has allocated $5.9 million towards a $8 million Food, Soil and Water Research Centre to be built by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in partnership with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann was onhand for the announcement which will see a new facility built on CSU’s proposed greenfield campus site on Major Innes Road, Port Macquarie. “The centre will make a significant contribution to research into soil and water management and sustainable development on the NSW Mid-North Coast and Australia, and will be integrated with the development of our new campus in Port Macquarie”, Professor Vann said. Federal Member for Lynne, Mr Rob Oakeshott, said the centre will help Australia address problems and economic opportunities in providing enough food and water for an ever-increasing global population. The facility will replace and expand an existing laboratory run by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.