The Minns Labor Government has unveiled the new $9 million state-of-the-art Centre for Australian Horticultural Market Access (CAHMA) in Ourimbah on the State’s Central Coast designed to strengthen the Government’s primary industries research capabilities.
The work comes on top of some $60 million invested by the Minns Government in modernising the State’s R&D capacity.
The new centre is an essential hub for research and development and will help develop major projects designed to strengthen the State’s $3.5 billion horticulture sector which includes exports valued at $432 million in 2024-25.
It includes state-of-the-art DNA-based tools to quickly identify foodborne germs, increased laboratory capacity to support food safety R&D programs and sorting technology to detect quarantine pests and diseases and improve fruit quality.
The Centre will help protect and grow NSW regional industries and markets across key horticultural industries including citrus, berries, avocados, melons and vegetables.
It will also enhance capacity to support supply chain efficiencies, fruit quality and food safety.
The installation of new state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment includes:
– Technology to detect quarantine pests and diseases and improve fruit quality and to reduce chemical use and improve sustainability of NSW horticultural exports
– High pressure washing facility to remove surface pests and contaminants
– Advanced controlled-atmosphere technologies and fumigation equipment to improve market access
– Upgraded and new cool rooms and fumigation facilities to scale-up research to semi-commercial equivalence
– A new biosafety level 2 laboratory for containment of human pathogens with automated diagnostic workflows enhancing food safety surveillance
The $9 million project was funded from the World Class Food and Fibre Stage 2 Program from the Restart NSW Fund and was completed in July 2025.
Media Release from the Offices of Tara Moriarty, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Minister for Western New South Wales
The Hon David Harris MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Minister for Gaming and Racing, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Medical Research, Minister for the Central Coast
