THE GRAINS Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has opened a regional office in Horsham, Victoria.
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The office will tie in with GRDC's major regional office in its southern zone in Adelaide and marks the final step in GRDC's plan to ensure engagement with the grain growing community.
GRDC chief executive Steve Jefferies, in Horsham for the opening, said the new office would complement other GRDC bases in Toowoomba, Wagga Wagga, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
It has been part of a regionalisation process for the Canberra-based statutory body.
"Over the past five years we've gone from having just three staff based outside Canberra to now having 46 per cent of the workforce outside head office, around 47 or 48 positions," Dr Jefferies said.
At present, he said GRDC was not planning to open any further regional offices.
"We think the mix is now pretty good."
Grower relations manager for GRDC South Courtney Ramsey will be at the helm of the Horsham office and said being based in the Wimmera would give her a chance to hear from growers at a grassroots level, as well as liaise with the number of researchers based in Horsham.
Dr Jefferies said feedback from growers about the concept of regional offices was strong.
"We have met with a number of growers during our visit to Victoria and they were really happy to hear about the Horsham office, they feel it will make it easier to get in touch with the GRDC with their concerns or opinions."