The announcement by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today that AgResearch's updated restructuring plan had been given ministerial approval is a blow to hopes the plan would be abandoned and jobs kept in Dunedin, rather than shifted north to Lincoln.
The Crown Research Institute's future footprint plan (FFP) would result in staff numbers at Invermay in Mosgiel dropping from 91 as of September last year to 35 by the time restructuring is complete in 2018.
Among the staff to be shifted north are scientists who work in the area of genomics.
In a statement, Mr Joyce said AgResearch had presented a "strong business case for change".
The plan was to reconfigure the institute's operations across four sites with an investment of $133 million in buildings and other infrastructure.
The FFP would modernise its facilities and co-locate research staff doing complementary work at the Palmerston North and Lincoln campuses.
"These campuses will form part of larger innovation hubs with other partners including tertiary institutions, Crown Research Institutes and industry researchers," Mr Joyce said.
"The hubs will focus on food science in Palmerston North, and land-based sustainable productivity at Lincoln Hub."
Teams would continue to be maintained at AgResearch's Ruakura (Hamilton) and Invermay campuses to focus on regional and specific farm systems and environmental issues.
About 199 AgResearch staff positions are planned for relocation over the next four years - 83 fewer than in the original proposal.
AgResearch would self-fund the programme through cash reserves, asset sales and debt.
"Shareholding ministers have made clear their expectations that AgResearch will implement the business case successfully and work with hub partners to ensure that its developments complement and reinforce the work being done across the science system," Mr Joyce said.
"It is also our expectation that AgResearch will consult Ministers further in advance of key construction commitments for both the Palmerston North and Lincoln building projects."
The investment would help AgResearch grow its research capabilities and attract high quality scientists.
