Waite
The site was originally bequest by Mr Peter Waite. It was established as the Waite Agricultural Research Institute. The Department of Agriculture conducted research and learning programs here. Approximately 300 people transferred to Waite from Northfield in the early 1990s. It developed as a major agricultural research centre for Commonwealth and State government along with private sector interests. It gained international acclaim. It's now a Campus of the University of Adelaide. It is a precinct for multiple agricultural functions, including South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
The idea was to foster world-class, industry-driven agricultural and natural resource research by bringing together – operationally and geographically – previously isolated research groups in the University of Adelaide, CSIRO, and State Government agencies. Five years and $80 million later, the Waite co-location is a working reality. Pamela Lyon reports on a vision fulfilled.