The Tocal Apiary

The Tocal Apiary Project Design Report was submited to the School of Architecture and the Build Environment on Friday 20 November 2015, in partal fulfllment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture Design Program at the University of Newcastle.

The report includes a visual descripton of the design process and key phases of the project and should be read in conjuncton with the Architectural Management and Practce Report contained within.

Lecturer: Ramsey Awad

Student: Cameron White C3166569

PART 1 PROJECT SUMMARY Preface

The purpose of this book is to chronicle the evoluton of a singular project over the course of a year, however the nature of the creatve process is such that nothing happens in isolaton - ideas and concepts develop and change over tme. Having acknowledged this, the following pages form a journey of discovery, including my successes and failures, which have led to the fnal design.

Hearing about the plight of bees originally piqued my interest in the project topic. With the collapse of bee populatons globally due to climate change, disease, parasites and insectcides and my growing interest in growing urban populatons, sustainable building, eco tourism and food producton security, I decided to explore further.

Our agricultural industries depend on the work of bees, so it is in all our interest to protect bees from extncton. I drew my inspiraton from the bees and their hives, who are master architects themselves, using hexagons to build honeycomb hives that create the maximum amount of space while utlizing the minimal amount of material. The Tocal Apiary is inspired to help bees thrive in the open. A man-made structure, designed to atract and preserve these delicate and threatened creatures.

There is certain wholeness to the choice of my site and the project itself. As an architectural student, Tocal College was the site of my very frst feld excursion on day 1 of my degree. Now with the completon of my Masters, The Tocal Apiary has taken me full circle. Life, like architecture, with all its ups and downs, is a journey. So let the jounrney begin ... PART 1 PROJECT SUMMARY Table of Contents

PART 1 PROJECT SUMMARY 3 PART 3 PROJECT PLANNING 39 PART 5 PROJECT CLOSURE 105

1.1 Introducton 4 3.1 Stakeholder Management & 5.2 Project Evaluaton 106

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 7 Communicatons 40 5.3 Post Occupancy Evaluaton 108

2.1 Project Analysis 8 3.2 Economic Analysis 54 5.5 Business Planning & Marketng 122

2.2 Client Analysis 8 3.3 Project Programming 55 PART 6 THE DESIGN PROCESS 131

2.3 User Group Analysis 11 3.3 Project Schedule Summary 59 6.1 Site Orientaton 132

2.4 Market Analysis 16 PART 4 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 63 6.2 Site Analysis 134

2.5 Precedence Analysis 23 6.3 Concept Design 142 4.1 Resource Establishment & 2.6 Key Project Success Factors 26 6.4 Schematc Design 163 Management 64 2.7 PROJECT BRIEF 28 6.5 Compliance with Regulaton 174 4.2 Project Procurement 78 2.8 Site Analysis 30 6.6 Developed Design 187 4.3 Project Contract Systems 86 2.9 Design & Functonal Analysis 32 6.6 Technical Drawings 200 4.4 Tendering 90 6.7 Final Design 4.5 Cash Flow Analysis 92 207

4.6 Risk Management 96 PART 7 CONCLUSION 211 PART 8 REFERENCES 214 2 | 1.0 Project Summary PART 1 PROJECT SUMMARY | 3 1.1 Introduction

As recommended to the Commonwealth Government important challenges facing governments around the program required to minimise these risk. in a 2008 House of Representatves Standing Commitee world (threatening the stability of our food supply). As The most immediate danger facing the apiculture industry on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry inquiry report into noted by the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering and is from the Varroa mite that has spread to all contnents, Rural Skills, Training and Research: Innovaton Council in 2010, ‘if our populaton grows except Australia. Experts believe it is only a mater of tme to 35–40 million and climate change constrains food before an incursion becomes established in Australia. ‘the contributon of the beekeeping industry producton, we can expect to see years where we will When that happens, the frst efect will be the loss of feral to Australian agriculture and hortculture import more food than we export.’ must be recognised by funding an entty hives that currently provide the majority of pollinaton such as a Cooperatve Research Centre, and Honey bees play an essental role in agriculture, not to hortcultural industries, forcing these industries to guarantee the long term future of the honey only producing honey and beeswax but also because become reliant on the commercial beekeeping industry bee quarantne facility currently housed in they pollinate a vast number of food crops. This is the for pollinaton services. main way bees contribute to food security, via feral and the Eastern Creek Quarantne Facility, or make As the issue of disease control is a State-based managed bees that either intentonally or coincidently alternatve arrangements for a permanent responsibility, and as recommended by a 2008 report, 1 pollinate crops and plants. The producton value of one site.’ NSW needs a purpose-built, bee specifc facility as tonne of pollinated crops is approximately fve tmes an essental component of our food and biosecurity This report presents that ‘alternatve’; the establishment higher than those crop categories that do not depend arrangements. The main aim of the Apiculture Facility of a new bee-centric facility and holistc approach to on insects. The Food and Agriculture Organisaton of the would be to provide bee quarantne services and support RD&E (research, development and extension) that will United Natons (FAO), estmates that ‘out of some 100 RD&E (Research Development & Extension) in apiculture, ensure the future of Australia’s Apiculture and Pollinaton crop species which provide 90% of food worldwide, 71 of that will ensure the long term economic viability, security industries as productve and sustainable. these are bee-pollinated’. and prosperity of the Australian Honey Bee industry so The future of our Apiculture and Pollinaton industries From a food and biosecurity perspectve, the apiculture that it can contnue to pollinate Australia’s hortcultural are in danger. Many of the recommendatons from the or honey bee industry, plays a vital role in keeping and agricultural crops. 2008 report made to the House of Representatves have Australia free of endemic pests and minimising disease. The report into the proposed facility’s development not been or were only partally implemented. As a result, Quarantne and incursion management remain important presents a number of key strategies to increase expected improvements and benefts have not been issues to safeguard the Australian honey bee industry, productvity and proftability within the apicultural delivered to Australia’s beekeeping and pollinaton service as disease and pests have the potental to severely and industry. That is: industries. adversely afect the honey bee industry, as well as many other agriculture and hortcultural industries. Diagnostc • Provide a new home for NSW’s honey bee Food and biosecurity are topics that have become quarantne services (currently housed at Eastern increasingly relevant over the past decade, as populatons services such as investgatve, surveillance, quarantne and reportng capabilites, are all part of a rigorous RD&E Creek) increase, climate change and border security all become • Undertake priority research development and

4 | PART 1 PROJECT SUMMARY extension which meets specifc industry needs such as: Д Improving the Surveillance Program to stop the possible incursion of harmful pests such as the Varroa mite into the Australian beekeeping industry Д Development of a policy framework and code of best practce disease and pest management; Д Investgaton and assistance to re-open export markets for live bees; • Assist industry promoton and awareness via allowing general public access to the facility as part of the region’s tourism initatves. • The facility to provide industry training and educatonal programs Д To expand industry resources and training about technical informaton to do with the honey industry, including educaton about pests such as the Varroa mite, for use by beekeepers and pollinator-reliant industries, to improve the overall delivery and content of knowledge to beekeepers and farmers Д To ensure the public and decision makers contnue to be aware of the importance of the apiculture industry not only as producer of high quality apiary products but a major contributor to ensuring the pollinaton of food and pasture crops.

PART 1 PROJECT SUMMARY | 5 6 | Image 1: Building secton cut into the landscape 2.0 Project Initiation PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 7 2.0 Project Initiation

2.1 PROJECT ANALYSIS that includes rolling hills, picturesque creeks, rainforests, skills and experience in general agriculture, beef catle, wetlands, dry sclerophyll forests and good grazing land dairying, rural business management, sheep producton, and river fats suitable for cropping. cropping and conservaton and land management. This project analysis includes a critcal and detailed analysis of the Tocal Apiculture Centre’s clients, user groups, market conditons and relevant design 2.2.2 Mission Statement 2.2.4 Cultural Environment precedents. The analysis identfes the key drivers for success and Tocal College aims to be the leader in agricultural and As part of the Tocal Agricultural Centre, and Centre of issues that might inhibit establishing a new approach and conservaton land management educaton, ofering a Excellence within NSW Department of Primary Indus- distnctve architecturally designed quarantne, research, range of agricultural training and practcal experience for tries, the College practces what it preaches. Tocal farm is training and educatonal facility to meet the needs of school leavers and other people interested in agricultural managed under the same conditons as other commercial both the industry, government and general public more careers. farming enterprises, providing ideal practcal training for broadly. students. These farms run: Tocal College also provides a diverse range of educaton • Up to 1,400 beef catle products and services to farmers, landholders and rural • 120 Australian stock horses 2.2 CLIENT ANALYSIS industries using its large commercial farms and the Tocal • 220 dairy cows Homestead that ofers a unique tourist destnaton. • Up to 350 sheep for prime lamb and wool 2.2.1 Client Overview In 2015 Tocal celebrates 50 years of educatonal training. producton Its core value, and the heart of Tocal, has always been • Five poultry sheds producing more than one about educatng people to respect the land and a job in million chickens per year Tocal College is part of the Tocal Agricultural Centre, a agriculture. (Review into Agricultural Educaton and Training in Centre of Excellence within The Department of Primary 109, 2013) Industries (DPI), NSW. The College has a network of farmers from NSW, QLD, Tocal College is a leading provider of agricultural 2.2.3 Business Goals other states and New Zealand that support Tocal students educaton, operated by the NSW Government through in gaining practcal farm work experience. It has built the Department of Primary Industries and situated in the Tocal College aims to be the leader in full and part- a reputaton for excellence in farm management for prime rural locaton of the Hunter Valley, 180 kilometers tme agricultural courses, short courses and distance livestock, pastures, cropping, poultry and sustainable land north of , 50 minutes from Newcastle local airport educaton. use. and 14 kilometers north of Maitland. Tocal’s courses are renowned Australia-wide for their The 2,200 hectare CB Alexander campus contains a farm practcal training, development of industry-relevant

8 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 2.2.5 Organisatonal Structure long been recognised that the industry requires a facility Australian agriculture. that can ofer and satsfy all the requirements for an Apiary Certfcate including Certfcate III in Beekeeping. The NSW Department of Primary Industries runs the 2.2.7 Project Ratonale College, assisted in a variety of its actvites by the CB Interest and demand is growing. In 2014 Tocal College Alexander Foundaton, Friends of Tocal, Tocal Students added two new publicatons on Bee Agskills and Healthy Associaton, Tocal Ex-students Associaton, Tocal Field bees AgGuide to their extensive publicaton list, to keep Tocal College’s strong and focused leadership are well- Days Associaton, and the College Advisory Council. pace with demand. connected and politcally savvy and contnue to look at new and progressive ways to atract students, build NSW Primary Industries and the Hunter Valley Amateur The College has two campuses and operates as the CB industry partcipaton and engage tourists to the Centre. Alexander Campus at Tocal and the Murrumbidgee Rural Bee Keeper’s Associaton also conduct an annual Field Studies Centre at Yanco. Day at Tocal College, usually in spring. This is advertsed The NSW Department of Primary Industries retains a in the ‘Amateur Beekeeper’ newsleter and well atended strong interest in educaton and training as a skilled The Tocal Agricultural Centre consists of the CB Alexander by local community and bee enthusiasts throughout the workforce provides a beter outcome for its regulatory, Campus of Tocal College, Advisory and Regulatory Services state. research and development (R&D) functons. of NSW DPI, Tocal Field Days and Tocal Homestead. The Hunter/Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority The NSW Department of Primary Industries role is to The Apiary Industry is in desperate need of a new and the Local Land Services (LLS) is also located at the provide support to the Apiary Industry through the quarantne and research facility with the imminent Tocal College, CB Alexander Campus. provision of research scientsts, diagnostc laboratories, closure of the current Eastern Creek Quarantne Facility extension ofcers, beekeeping courses and regulatory (with funding to cease mid 2015). services. Assistance and advice may include best The threat of pest and disease incursions is one of most management practces in keeping honey bees; seasonal 2.2.6 Project Origins signifcant issues facing the honey bee industry and honey management enquiries; disease/pest management bee pollinaton dependent industries, as this has the processes; advice from amateur beekeeping to startng a PROfarm is the training program developed by NSW potental to severely afect the honey bee industry and commercial business. Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) to meet the much of our agriculture industries. needs of farmers, primary industries, agribusiness and Over the years the College has grown to be one of The NSW Department of Primary Industries recognizes the community. Beekeeping is one of the short courses Australia’s largest and most diverse agricultural colleges, that preventng the introducton of exotc pests and provided within the PROfarm Program. and with a history of conducing successful beekeeping diseases must become a priority of both governments course and other apiary actvites, it is the obvious site Tocal currently ofers NSWDPI courses in Beginning in and industry alike. Efectve border security measures and partnership choice for a new holistc centre that will Bees, Beekeeping as a Business, and Queen Bee Breeding, and strategies to deal with incursions are critcal, as is focus on educaton, research and extension to promote and the NSWDPI are currently developing a course in investment in research and development to identfy and Beekeeping Pests and Diseases based on demand. It has the future of Australia’s Apiculture Industry and support

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 9 manage biosecurity threats is essental. • To design, develop and establish a world class 2.3 USER GROUP ANALYSIS quarantne facility that utlises best practce Tocal represents the ideal locaton for a new purpose- quarantne services to safeguard the future of built Apiculture and Quarantne Centre. The College is The diverse nature of the project’s key user groups will Australia’s honey bee and agricultural industries ideally placed to deliver the much-needed educaton and infuence the facilites design and procurement processes. • To develop a ‘centre of apiary excellence’, that research that the industry requires. The Tocal Apiculture Ongoing liaison and consultaton with these groups will be gathers, investgates and distributes industry Centre will not only enhance Tocal College’s success, but essental if the project objectves are to be met and needs intelligence from local and internatonal sources, it will also improve the image and reputaton of the NSW of the various user groups are to be satsfed. and functons as a channel for informaton Department of Primary Industries. exchange within Australia and internatonally, As part of this process it is vital to understand the key building industry cohesion and cooperaton characteristcs of the main user groups and identfy how 2.2.8 Project Objectves • To enhance the development of the entre apiary they will engage with the facility. sector through educaton, research and extension This analysis is presented within the tables on the programs within the public and agricultural Honey bee health is vital to ensure the future following pages. communites sustainability and viability of the Apiculture Industry as • To enhance the industry by conductng well as the agricultural industries more generally and Table 1: User Group Analysis Tables (opposite page) educatonal, promotonal and public relatons crops that rely on pollinaton services. The quarantne, campaigns that build awareness, garner support research and educatonal facilites proposed within and encourage the adopton of best practce the Tocal Apiculture Centre will maintain and improve producton, quality assurance, presentaton and Australia’s biosecurity, minimising the risks of established promoton of its products, in the best interest of pests, increasing surveillance and ability to respond to any the industry and the College. incursions of exotc pests that may enter Australia. The Tocal Apiculture Centre aims: • To foster, promote, enhance and protect the Australian honey bee industry • To maximise the efcient use of funds and industry resources to ensure the long term economic viability, security and prosperity of the Australian honey bee industry and broader agricultural industries

10 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 2.3 User Group Analysis

1. USER GROUP: FACILITY STAFF POTENTIAL USERS Full tme: Facility Director, Program Coordinator, Administraton Ofcers / Receptonist, Research Director, Quarantne Director, Scientsts and Researchers Part tme staf (include Admin Staf, Marketng/Event Coordinator, Informaton Ofcer & NSW Department of Primary Industries personnel, Cleaners & Maintenance Staf) NUMBER OF USERS 10 Full tme staf 10 Part tme staf KEY CHARACTERISTICS Scientsts & professional academics who have research & management roles. These could include PhD students, bee quarantne experts who are commited to furthering knowledge in their partcular felds They are engaged and passionate about their role & their responsibilites to the Australian Bee Keeping industry. Extension Programs such as investgatng the medical use of honey holds great potental FACILITY ENGAGEMENT Requires diferent levels of access to the building depending of responsibilites eg research and quarantne centre, hive management, queen bee producers & packaging, pollinaton services, access to key foral resources Biosecurity & risk management measures are required eg All imported honey bees (queens and escorts) to NSW, will required to undergo post arrival quarantne at the Tocal government approved quarantne facility. Staged quarantne facilites within the centre that allow storage of imported honey bee queens, from which colonies will be propagated. [Only larvae grafed from this colony will be released from quarantne.] Waste and safe contaminated material eliminaton, as per the import conditons must also be provided. High security storage facilites for pest and disease generic materials such as Varroa mite, and other natural or artfcial chemical contaminants Management & admin ofces to have natural light & ventlaton Ofces & lab to be equipped with state-of-the-art Research laboratories require air conditoning and ventlaton, as well as bee specifc conditons eg smoke rooms. Disabled access will also be required throughout the facility

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 11 User Group Analysis Continued

2. USER GROUP: EDUCATIONAL STAFF POTENTIAL USERS Lecturers & Tutors Guest lecturers & industry experts including Professional Bee Keepers & Industry Specialists NUMBER OF USERS 10 Full tme educators 10 Part tme / guest lecturers KEY CHARACTERISTICS Professional educators & academics who are commited to best practce in producton, quality assurance, presentaton and promoton of their coursers and educatonal products, in best interest of the industry and the College. Educaton and skills classes to develop more expertse among beekeepers Educators that are keen to pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generaton of beekeepers Expand queen bee breeding programs FACILITY ENGAGEMENT Requires access to lecture and tutorial spaces, hives facilites, including labs and storage

12 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 3. USER GROUP: STUDENTS POTENTIAL USERS Part tme: PROfarm short course partcipants Students including: Amateur bee keepers, Hobbyists, Commercial Bee Keepers, Pollinaton providers Agricultural Students Apprentces / trainee bee keepers: to address the shortall in bee keeping numbers, as well as the aging workforce, the College plans to encourage new partcipants wantng to start a career in bee keeping, by developing a Bee Keeping Apprentceship Course. NUMBER OF USERS 60 Full tme students 20 Part tme students or short course students KEY CHARACTERISTICS Tocal students come from throughout New South Wales, especially the Greater Sydney Region, Illawarra, the , North Coast, South Coast, Central Coast and Central West NSW. Some students also come from interstate. Beekeepers and enthusiasts are commited and passionate about the industry Students range from urban dwellers to rural farmers, hobbyists and interested amateurs with litle knowledge and skill, to seasonal professionals seeking to update their skill levels in specifc areas eg efcient methods of beekeeping, quality assurance, disease control, and business management; To atract young people into the industry & address the issue of an aging workforce, the College plans to encourage new partcipants wantng to start a career in bee keeping, by developing a Bee Keeping Apprentceship Course. As there is currently no full tme degree course in Apiary Services, the facility will provide short-term intensive course, heavily focused on practcal experience. Beekeeping is an electve, as part of farm management and delivered through a combinaton of distance learning and a practcal weekend courses. FACILITY ENGAGEMENT Requires access to lecture and tutorial spaces, hives facilites, including labs and storage As all courses focused on practcal skills, access to hives and lab conditons that replicate the natural environment and climate conditons will be essental.

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 13 User Group Analysis Continued

4. USER GROUP: INDUSTRY POTENTIAL USERS The industry is made up from a diverse range of industry groups that represent the interests of beekeepers & government groups including: The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) New South Wales Apiarists’ Associaton (NSWAA) represents the industry in NSW Amateur Bee Keeper’s Associaton (ABA) The Australian Government Department of Agriculture (AGDA) Rural Industries Research and Development Corporaton (RIRDC) Horiculture Australia Limited Plant Health Australia (PHA) NUMBER OF USERS The facility can accommodate up to 10 full tme industry professionals KEY CHARACTERISTICS Industry groups will come from throughout New South Wales, especially the Greater Sydney Region, Illawarra, the Hunter Region, North Coast, South Coast, Central Coast and Central West NSW. As a Centre for Excellence for the Apiculture Industry, it is expected that industry experts will be atracted from interstate and internatonally. The centre will be important to build industry cohesion and cooperaton FACILITY ENGAGEMENT Requires access to lecture rooms, seminar and meetng spaces for conferences and industry gatherings.

14 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 5. USER GROUP: GENERAL PUBLIC AND TOURISTS POTENTIAL USERS Local Community States and Interstate Visitors to the Hunter Region Visitors to Tocal including visitors to the Homestead, atending functons at the Visitors Centre, or Tocal Field Days (over a 3 day period) Visitors interested in Bee Keeping specifcally NUMBER OF USERS Currently annual visitor numbers to the Homestead (8,562 pa), atending functons (6,788 pa) and Field Days (24,105 over 3 days) KEY CHARACTERISTICS Visitors will be atracted to the Centre for a number of reasons. Visitors to Tocal Homestead, Visitors to the Hunter Region in general Visitors interested in Bee Keeping specifcally FACILITY ENGAGEMENT The Centre needs to diferentate itself in terms of quality. As a Centre of Excellence, the Tocal Apiculture Centre will enhance the industry’s reputaton – like high quality Australian honey – world class - clean and green. The Centre will promote the industry’s worth to agriculture and the economy through a public educaton program From a tourism perspectve, The Centre will educate the general public on the importance of honeybees in the Australian economy and society, focusing on the contributon of bees and pollinaton to the agricultural sector Visitors will be able to view the seldom seen processes of a bee hive through secure glass viewing spaces. Bees are able to forage for food and pollinate the surrounding site and return to the glass observaton hives where the public can watch the producton of the comb, colony structure and the honey making process. This unique experience breaks down the barriers and irratonal fear of bees in a safe and secure environment.

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 15 2.4 Market Analysis

2.4 MARKET ANALYSIS The PESTE list below identfes some of the key macro Economic Factors environmental factors that might impact the project Proftable small and growing industry - beekeeping Conducing market analysis will identfy any major external Politcal / Legal Factors industry in 2012-13 was $88 million, with a forecasted factors that might infuence the project’s design and • Funding and management of research, GVP of $92 million in 2013-14 (ABARES 2014). procurement and therefore impact the feasibility, target development and extension programs are via • Major constraints include high freight costs, the market and ultmate the success of the project. statutory levies paid by industry partcipants, and threat of export bans, and the limited number of This analysis will support and substantate the viability matched by the Australian Government. (programs skilled queen bee breeders (AHBIC 2014). of the project by focusing on three key areas: The macro need to be stakeholder and market-focused.) • Unlike other primary producers, beekeepers environment, market demand and compettve analysis. Funding model is limited and more is required. require virtually no land of their own. The ‘land’ • Politcal / NSW State government policy: restrictng takes the form of small apiary sites that are leased access to resources on public land - partcularly from private landholders or public authorites. 2.4.1 The Macro Environment conserved areas and natonal parks – and loss of Even large providers only require 1 to 5 ha of land, apiary sites. close to rural towns or cites. PESTE analysis is concerned with the key external • Legislaton needed to protect access agreements • Bee keeping uses highly depreciatng materials environmental factors that might infuence a business and conservaton objectves and support industry such as hives, machinery and sheds (as opposed or industry. The acronym stands for the Politcal/legal, needs to land owning farmers who have, in the land, a Economic, Socio-cultural /demographic, Technological and • Funding for NSW’s current quarantne services stable or appreciatng asset) Environmental /ethical issues. (housed at Eastern Creek) ceases in mid 2015, with • Knowledge base of industry: Knowledge is acquired no alternatve outlined to date. largely by experience and is ofen passed from Identfying the key macro environmental factors is a • Ongoing consultaton is required between the generaton to generaton (detailed knowledge of useful way of summarising the external environment in Department of Agriculture and relevant industry the complicated behaviour of the honey bee itself, which the industry operates that might afect the project’s groups to ensure quarantne concerns are the plants which provide the resource, nature feasibility and success. coordinated and properly addressed. conservaton and agricultural producton). • Internatonal bans on the importaton of live Socio/cultural factors bees from Australia, such as the USA, negatvely • The apiculture industry has an aging and impactng exports and industry proftability. decreasing experienced workforce • Loss of industry knowledge and skills through an ageing populaton and no formal process to transfer these skills and knowledge Figure 1: Macro Environmental Forces

16 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION • Young people are not atracted to the beekeeping have caused extensive damage to apiculture • Industry expertse - has a large range of expertse industry due to high cost of entry, business set up, industries overseas and threaten to do the same in in all areas of beekeeping heavy workload (partcular in the summer season) Australia. • Currently Australia has a good record of pest and the required lifestyle commitments (mobility • Agriculture competton for suitable land, when controls and quality assurance program (B-QUAL requirements etc) foral resources are destroyed by land clearing and • Australia is internatonally recognised as a quality Technological factors herbicide applicatons. producer of honey • The use of agricultural pest and herbicides on • Research and development into honey as a Weaknesses crops where bees are pollinatng can cause bee therapeutc agent (ant-bacterial propertes useful • Industry is fragmented death and reduce program efectveness. in the treatment of wounds, burns, ulcers and • Uncertainly in long term funding arrangements other bacterial complaints) and lack of research funding/facilites to do with • represents an opportunity. bee keeping (current quarantne facility at Eastern 2.4.2 Swot Analysis Environmental factors Creek is due to be decommissioned mid year) • Inability within the industry to infuence the • Climate & natve foral resources (produce large government on natural resource issues quanttes of pollen and nectar), making Australia Once the key environmental factors have been identfed, • Need for diagnostc services provided by ideal for the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) all factors must be categories and presented within a government, university and/or private laboratories • Climate change has the potental to interfere and SWOT analysis. SWOT is an acronym for identfying an to investgate, provide surveillance, quarantne and increases the risk of food producton constraints. industry or organisaton’s strengths and weaknesses and report on incursions. • As global populatons grows, including Australia, therefore highlights both opportunites and or threats to • Biosecurity system needs strengthening to protect there is increased pressure to produce more food the project. industry from introduced diseases and pests via decreasing arable land. Strengths • Disease and hive pests can be transferred across • Migratory commercial beekeeping industry • Climate & natve foral resources (produce large large distances due to the high mobility requires access to natve forests including quanttes of pollen and nectar), making Australia • Apis cerana (Asian honey bee) has been declared conserved areas. Australian community and ideal for the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) endemic in Australia (this is an issue as they are a government is more concerned about conservaton • Australia is one of the few countries with a healthy natural host for Varroa mites) of remaining forests. Traditonal access by bee populaton (no Varroa mite) • Limited educaton and training available, both beekeepers to forests is being questoned and • Pollinaton services provide a valuable service to in training workers within and supportng the sometmes restricted because honey bees are not agriculture & hortcultural industry depends on industry, as well as educatng the general public as natve to Australia. pollinaton services, creatng strong demand for to the importance of the industry. • Exotc pests, such as the Varroa mite, and diseases these services • Aging workforce, not atractng younger entrants

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 17 Market Analysis Continued

• Loss of accumulated industry knowledge no formal • Coordinated approach with researchers and • the wider community about Economic pressures transfer process and documented - difcult to pass industry to improve detecton methodology on the honey producing industry eg Imported on skills & knowledge to younger bee keepers • Uptake/increase to availability of training for bee honey being substtuted for domestcally produced • Current training is through VET (Vocatonal keepers and new entrants honey and/also used to drive down prices, lower Educaton and Training) that lacks modules on • Apprentceship programs available to industry proftability as a result of increased supermarket biosecurity, marketng, business management & to overcome a future shortall of professional buying power communicaton. beekeepers • Reduced access by beekeepers to areas of natve • Lack of both resources and tme to address • Coordinated marketng approach to support and fora (Pollinaton Australia Business Plan, 2008). domestc and internatonal opportunites for promote the industry and its products, infuence • There is a lack of understanding within the pest growth. government decision makers and build awareness and disease risk associated with bees • No comprehensive or targeted marketng within the industry and wider community to • Lack in the amount and quality of biosecurity improve industry image. educaton and training across agricultural Opportunites • Research and development of extension products industries around honey’s therapeutc powers - honey • Constant threat of export bans on the importaton • Development of a purpose built facility for products for medical use of live bees from Australia (eg current USA ban). quarantne, research, training and educaton • Tocal Apicultural Facility to tap in to the growing to promote, nurture and increase beekeeping, tourism market, as the region is experiencing pollinaton and quarantne services increasing visitor numbers, both domestc and • Quarantne and Containment programme and internatonal, for holiday, leisure and business centre for Apis cerana purposes. • Queen bee and packaged bee breeding is specialised industry with growing markets internatonally Threats • Demand for pollinaton services has risen by over • High risk and inevitability of the entry and spread 300 per cent in 50 years, via managed bees and of exotc pests and diseases (eg Varroa mite) pollinaton services that will increase beekeepers’ costs, reduce • Development of sustainable government-industry productvity and limit the extensive movement of partnerships (for shared responsibility) to achieve hives around Australia government, industry and greater cooperaton and communicaton across wider community about Economic pressures on industries the honey producing industry eg Imported honey being substtuted for government, industry and

18 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 2.4.3 COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT ft on the site/s with space for future growth if conductve to maintaining hives throughout the entre required year, partally due to frosts and cold Winter temperatures Quarantne Services • located within easy reach of a local airport and that restrict the bees foraging, reduce pollen and nectar nearby internatonal airport supplies and therefore decrease colony strength and • located outside any current biosecurity risk health. Australia is free of many diseases and pests that exist in exclusion zone Educatonally, there is no one supplier of vocatonal other countries. The Department of Agriculture operates • located away from populatons of species in training in beekeeping. The NSW Department of Primary post entry quarantne (PEQ) facilites to help maintain quarantne Industries role is to provide support to the Apiary Industry the integrity of Australia’s biosecurity. Animals and plants • located within easy reach of an internatonal through the provision of research scientsts, diagnostc are not released into Australia untl they have fulflled airport laboratories, extension ofcers, beekeeping courses and quarantne requirements, which ofen includes a period of • located to be geographically appropriate for regulatory services. It has long been recognised that the quarantne at PEQ facilites to ensure animals and plants species in quarantne with minimum requirement industry requires a facility that can ofer and satsfy all the are free from pests and diseases. to create artfcial environments requirements for an Apiary Certfcate including Certfcate • located to have access to appropriate skills The Department of Agriculture currently leases and III in Beekeeping. As Tocal already ofers NSWDPI courses and support facilites (such as academic and operates fve post entry quarantne facilites for imported in Beginning in Bees, Beekeeping as a Business, and research insttutons and appropriate industry and live animals and plants, however the Eastern Creek facility Queen Bee Breeding, and the NSWDPI are currently communites). in NSW (for plant and animal quarantne) will close at developing a course in Beekeeping Pests and Diseases, it the end of 2015, while the other 3 sites at Knoxfeld The budget for Mickleham works was $11.4 million, based is the obvious choice to ofer an integrated one stop shop and Spotswood in Victoria and Torrens Island in South on recommendatons of the biosecurity consultants’ for the entre Apiary Industry. Australia, will be maintained untl the end of existng report. leasing arrangements agreed with each site’s owner. This is due to the design and constructon of a new PEQ In term of competton, on the surface it would appear 2.4.4 MARKET DEMAND facility in Mickleham, Victoria, which the Australian that the new Mickleham PEQ facility would be in direct competton to Tocal, however honey bees are short- Government will invest more than $140 million towards a. The Australian Honey Bee Industry in 2014-15, $9.5 million of which will be allocated to the lived, and both nectar and pollen are required year round Department of Agriculture for transiton purposes. (Dept. to maintain the honey bee colony and to allow for the of Agriculture website, accessed March 2015) rapid expansion in the adult bee populaton which occurs There are approximately 12,250 registered beekeepers with temperate climates and when foral resources are in Australia operatng approximately 524,000 hives of The site in Mickleham was selected as it met several abundant. European honey bees (Apis mellifera). (See Table 1) requirements, including that it be: Unfortunately, the climate conditons in Victoria are not Most registered beekeepers (approximately 10,600) are • large enough to allow all the fnal elements to

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 19 Market Analysis Continued hobbyists and only have a few hives each. Approximately Most commercial honey bee businesses are small; 60 b. Producton 1,650 commercial beekeepers (defned as an agriculture per cent operate less than 250 hives (Table 2). However, enterprise with an estmated value of agricultural four per cent of businesses had more than 1 000 hives, producton of more than $5,000) manage around 341,400 accountng for 24 per cent of total honey sales in 2006-07 The Australian honey bee industry had an estmated gross hives in 2010-11 (ABS, 2012). (Crooks, 2008). value of producton of $88 million for its products (honey, beeswax, paid pollinaton services, exports of package State/Territory No of beekeepers % of beekeepers No of hives % of hives bees and queens) and services in 2012-13. Source: ABARES, unpublished. NSW 3,443 29 214,266 41 Queensland 3,101 26 103,050 20 Australia’s annual producton of honey typically varies between approximately 20,000 and 25,000 tonnes, WA 1,062 8 28,693 5 depending largely on seasonal conditons (in 2012-13 23 South Australia 1,030 8 61,322 12 033 tonnes. Source: ABARES, unpublished. Tasmania 173 1 16,083 3 Annual honey yields per hive in Australia are among the Victoria 3,389 28 97,508 19 highest in the world, but also vary signifcantly depending NT 44 <1 2,294 <1 on seasonal conditons (42-105 kg, average 51 kg). Total 12,242 100% 524,217 100% The high honey yields achieved by Australian beekeepers refect the relatvely large amounts of nectar produced by Number of registered beekeepers and hives in Australia, by state, 2013-14. Table 2. Australia’s natve fora and the tendency of the Australian Source: State and Territory Government agencies, unpublished data. The ACT does not have a registraton scheme honey bee industry to focus on honey producton rather Size of operaton No of beekeepers % of beekeepers % of honey sales than pollinaton services. 50 - 250 1,023 60 17 NB Honey producton refers to honey on which the 250 - 500 340 20 23 statutory research and development levy was paid. 500 - 1,000 264 16 36 Exports of honey from Australia have declined since 2009- 1,000 + 174 4 24 10 to 2013 (from 8,440 tonnes to 4,640 and dollar value from $AUD39.8 mill to $24.2 mill), as a results of the high Total 1,702 100 100 exchange rate for the Australian dollar over this period Table 3. The physical characteristcs of commercial honey bee businesses in Australia. and business decisions made by Capilano Honey Limited, Source: Crooks, 2008. Note in the original source this total is 1702, although the values in the column total 1701. the major Australian honey packer and exporter, about its

20 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION export program (Capilano Honey Limited, 2010). 2.4.5 THE APICULTURE INDUSTRY – • commercial apiarists operate between 400 to 800 Imports of honey into Australia have been relatvely statc SIZE, CHARACTERISTICS & DEMAND. hives; some have more than 3,000 hives. for the past fve years at between approximately 3,000- • The commercial bee industry accounts for more 4,500 tonnes per annum. than 90% of Australia’s total honey producton a. Managed Honey Bees: and producton of honey bee related products and Source: Australian Bureau of Statstcs, Internatonal services. Trade, Australia, Cat. No. 5465.0, Canberra. • Managed honey bees are found in all Australian • The Australian honey bee industry produces Australia also trades in beeswax, importng 330 tonnes states and territories. around 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes of honey annually worth $1.9 million and exportng 360 tonnes worth $3.1 • 70 per cent of Australian honey is produced from depending largely on seasonal conditons, with million in 2012-13. natve fora. nearly 45% of this total coming from beekeepers • The Australian honey bee industry consists of resident in NSW. The contributon made by honey bee pollinaton to approximately 12,400 registered beekeepers who Australian agriculture has been estmated to be in the own around 528,000 registered hives in Australia b. Honey Producton: imports and exports and range of $0.6 to $1.7 billion (Gill, 1989; Gordon and Davis, (AHBIC 2014), producing not only honey and pollinaton services 2003), although several uncertaintes exist in determining beeswax but also live bees (queens and package the value of European honey bee pollinaton to Australian bees), and other products and services such as Australia is the ninth largest producer of honey in the agriculture. pollen, royal jelly and paid pollinaton services. world and is one of the largest exporters, with about a Capilano Honey Limited imported approximately 2,000 – • Most registered beekeepers (approximately third of honey produced in Australia exported to over 38 3,000 tonnes per annum between 2008-09 and 2012-13 10,600) are hobbyists and only have a few countries. to make up seasonal short-falls in Australian supply, for hives each. Approximately 1,650 commercial In 2012-13, the major destnaton countries for Australian blending into bulk industrial honey products and to supply beekeepers (defned as an agriculture enterprise honey exports were China, Philippines, Indonesia, export markets.(Capilano Honey Limited, Annual Report with an estmated value of agricultural producton Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, the United Kingdom, 2009; 2012; 2013). of more than $5,000) manage around 341,400 hives (ABS, 2012). and the Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab In 2012-13, major destnaton countries for • Some 102,000 hives are used for paid pollinaton Emirates, Qatar) and major source countries for honey Australian honey exports were China, Philippines, and between 80,000 and 100,000 hives provide imported into Australia were Argentna, China and New Indonesia,Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, the United pollinaton services on a mutually benefcial basis Zealand. Kingdom, and the Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, Oman, United (honey producton). An average of 4,630 tonnes was exported per year (AHBIC Arab Emirates, Qatar) and major source countries for • Over 70% of hives are operated by commercial 2014, in three years to March 2014) at a dollar value of honey imported into Australia were Argentna, China and beekeepers with more than 200 hives, and most approximately $AUD24.2mill. New Zealand.

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 21 Exports and revenues have declined over the past 5 years 2.4.6 HUNTER TOURISM largely due to high exchange rates and business decisions made by major Australian honey packers and exporters The Hunter Valley tourism statstcs below (YE Dec 14) such as Capilano. (Capilano Honey Limited, 2010). represent an additonal opportunity for the proposed In the RIRDC report Valuing honey bee pollinaton, Tocal Apicultural Facility to tap into the growing domestc honey bee crop pollinaton services were valued at $1.7 and internatonal tourism market. billion for 1999-2000, based on the direct cost of a loss To the year ending Dec 2014, the Hunter Valley received: of pollinaton services, including directly afectng 9,500 jobs. In additon, RIRDC estmated an extra $2 billion loss • 3.1 million domestc overnight visitors (up by in industry output and 11,000 jobs following the loss of 11.1% from 2013) all pollinaton services. A decade later, these fgures are • Holiday and leisure represented over 40% considerably higher. of ‘purpose of visits’ to the region, with the largest purpose in terms of nights in the region, In 2014, the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and while business representng 14.5% and 15.7% Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) determined respectvely, growing by 99.2% from 2013. the gross value of producton (GVP) of the beekeeping • In 2014, the Hunter received 141,600 internatonal industry in 2012-13 was $88 million, with a forecasted overnight visitors GVP of $92 million in 2013-14 (ABARES 2014). This includes products and services such as honey, beeswax, paid pollinaton services, exports of package bees and queens. The demand for pollinaton services has risen by over 300 per cent in 50 years due to economic globalizaton that has driven both the global managed honey bee populatons and the demand for agricultural pollinaton services.

22 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 2.5 Precedence Analysis

2.5 PRECEDENCE ANALYSIS Objectves: • By storing the world’s seeds, the MIllennium Seed Bank aims to provide an insurance policy against By analyzing projects of similar scale, functonal content, the extncton of plants in the wild. The Aims programmatc complexity and design intent, useful include: insights are gained and adopted for the project at hand. • Collect the seeds from 75,000 species of plants Three projects will be analysis below. They are: by 2020, representng 25% of known fora. This 1. Millennium Seed bank, Wakehurst Place, West Sussex is the second phase of the goal, with the original partnership goal of banking 10% of known fora by 2. Quarantne Super Staton, Mickleham, Victoria 2010 achieved in October 2009. 3. Centre for Carbon, Food and Water, Sydney University • Collect seeds from all of the UK’s natve fora. Camden Campus. • Further research into conservaton and preservaton of seeds and plants. 1. The Seed Bank • Act as a focal point for research in this area and • Client: The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew encourage public interest and support • Locaton: Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, United The Millennium Seed Bank was designed by the London- Kingdom. based architects Stanton Willliams. An important aspect Images 2 & 3: The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership (MSBP or MSB), formerly known as the Millennium Seed • Project Value: £14 million of the brief was that the design of the building should be Bank Project, is an internatonal conservaton project • Completon: March 2010 in character with its locaton at Wakehurst Place. Stanton coordinated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Williams created a low-level building with barrel-vaulted Main scope of works: roofng, inspired by the surrounding landscape forms. The current 5,500-square meter complex of buildings The main materials used for the external walls and roof replaced earlier cold stores of seeds held at Kew and were fair-faced concrete, sand blasted to expose the Wakehurst. Named the Wellcome Trust Millennium aggregate in specifc areas, York stone, painted steel and Building in acknowledgement of its primary funder, the structural glass panels. building comprises three distnct glass sectons. These The building has been designed to maximise energy house laboratories, seed-preparaton facilites and a conservaton, while providing the best possible conditons public exhibiton area, under which lies a vast storage for seed storage. vault.

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 23 Precedence Analysis Continued

2. Victorian Post Entry Quarantne Staton The project will be delivered in six stages to coincide Facilites include: • Client: Department of Finance and Deregulaton with leases ending on existng facilites operated by the • Bee quarantne facilites of 250m2, with fight • Locaton: Mickleham, Victoria Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. cages and laboratories Managing Contractor Leighton • Contractor: , Objectves: • Central utlites building of 1500m2, with boilers, Contactors Pty Ltd chillers and generators • Project Value: $56 million Located on a 144 hectare site at Mickleham, north-east of • Dispatch and services building of 1264m2 (security • Completon: June 2018 Melbourne, the PEQ is intended to be the sole quarantne ofces and dangerous goods) facility for all plants and animals entering Australia. • Administraton building of 2300m2 site services, Main scope of works: including internal roads, high voltage power, sewer, water and gas As well as holding facilites for various kinds of plants and animals, the facility has PC2 and QC3 laboratories for Images 4 - 6: Victoria Port Entry Quarantne Staton. tssue testng and research. Quarantne periods at the facility will vary; up to four weeks for horses and three years for plants.

24 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 3. Centre for Carbon, Water and Food subliminal reminder of the functon of the building. • Client: The centre provides evidence based teaching and • Locaton: Sydney, NSW, Australia research in global change biology, sustainable ecosystems • Project Area: 2,500sqm and sustainable agriculture. • Project Value: $20 million • Completon: June 2012 The form of the building is an apex, which draws atenton to the natural beauty of the local topography, as if

pointng to the landscape itself. It stands as a landmark, Main scope of works: refectng the importance of delivering sustainable Design and constructon of two new buildings: initatves to protect the land and address issues • 1625 sqm of physical containment or quarantne associated with carbon, food and water management. containment for plants and Spaces within the facility include a semi-public foyer, • 775 sqm of laboratories, plus conference room, meetng rooms, ofces, research and Images 7 & 8: Centre for Carbon, Water and Food, • Upgrade of existng infrastructure, trade waste teaching laboratories. treatment and disposal system. University of Sydney, Camden Campus. • Refurbishment of six (6) existng laboratory . buildings totalling 600sq2. Objectves: The brief intends that this innovatve new centre will be the Faculty of Agriculture’s fagship facility and an iconic focus of the Camden campus. The Centre for Carbon, Water + Food has an interdisciplinary research focus on issues that underpin environmental sustainable land management. The design responds to the three elements of the research. The building is divided into three zones which are externally clad in ttanium zinc alloy, copper and pre- weathered Corten steel, representng the elements of carbon, water and food respectvely, providing a

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 25 2.6 Key Project Success Factors .

2.6 KEY PROJECT SUCCESS FACTORS • design, constructon and operatons. It will • where bees and humans can co-habitat in embrace ecologically sustainable development harmony – ensuring safely for the general public, principles including whole-of-life decision but not interfering with bee access and processes The key project success factors can be drawn from a making in design, constructon and operaton, • To ensure that the facilites directly relate to combinaton of the project objectves and SWOT analysis. and compliance with specifc Commonwealth the specifc requirements of the project and These key project success factors need to be met in order energy and water conservaton policies. It must stakeholders of the project. Facility requirements for the project to achieve a successful outcome. They are: remain sensitve to and respectul of the natural include, but are not limited to, world class plant • As a multfaceted client, the project will rely on landscape, both physically and socially. (For diagnostc laboratories and equipment, enhanced communicatons, consultaton and engagement example, the use of locally sourced materials and greenhouse temperature control, innovatve hive with all the key stakeholders. Operated by the labour) management environments and public ‘glass NSW Government through the Department of • Unique, innovatve and distnctve design, the viewing’ areas, quality mechanical and electrical Primary Industries, a strong partnership between building must have an aesthetcally pleasing form, systems within laboratories Tocal College and the NSW DPI will be vital to the be ecologically sustainable design, with quality • Security measures for the new post entry success of the project laboratories and quarantne facilites, worthy quarantne (PEQ) facility will include: • Industry groups and users will be consulted of the NSW DPI’s ‘Centre of Excellence’ status. Д a central security ofce (located near the main regularly throughout the project; including The architecture must refect the project’s aim entrance) students, industry associatons, apiarists, of becoming a world-class provider of apiary Д CCTV cameras installed throughout the facility researchers, government bodies, the local educaton, research and extension, as well as Д roaming security guards present at the facility community and visitors to the region Australia’s primary bee quarantne centre. Д industry standard QC2 and QC3 quarantne • The Centre must be a sustainable, reliable • Create a public friendly educatonal and research containment levels facility that adopts modern technology and facility that will build awareness and promote • The facility must operate in line with existng operatng practces, that consolidates existng bee understanding about the apiculture industry and import policies and biosecurity standards, however quarantne, research and educatonal services into its importance within the Australian agricultural the consolidaton of services and integraton a single and integrated site sector, that atracts both students, industry and of actvites should lead to efciencies and the • To maximise the synergies of the locaton and visitors to the Centre adopton of modern management practces. sustainability measures in order to minimise • To provide appropriate level of access for the • The proposed project plan should include ongoing costs, thus further protectng the future of various user groups including public access to strategies for staf inducton and training, the Australian Apiculture Industry nominated areas, amenites and circulaton transiton of operatons, communicatons with • The project must ensure a high degree of through the Centre; restricted access to quarantne staf and stakeholders, site management, supply environmental sustainability in all aspects of and laboratory areas. Creatng an environment arrangements and commissioning of the new site.

26 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION Image 9: Tocal Site Locaton Concept Map & 6KM Bee Flight Path | 27 2.7 Project Brief 28 | PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION 2.7.1 Statement of Intent

The Tocal Apicultural Centre is a proposal to be presented to the NSW Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Tocal College as part of their ongoing commitment to: • the preservaton and protecton of the honey bee • quarantne, surveillance and incursion management to safeguard Australian pollinaton services and limit risks of damaging pests and disease, to ensure food security • create a public friendly educatonal and research facility that will build awareness and promote understanding about the apiculture industry and its importance within the Australian agricultural sector • increasing opportunity and access to apiary vocatonal educaton and training to sustain the future of the apiculture in Australia. • the provision of world-class facilites that provide every opportunity to deliver quality, hands on practcal courses and experience to the bee industry to further the College and NSW DPI’s reputaton as an innovatve leader in vocaton educaton and training. Numerous Senate enquiries and reports have been submited to various government departments and commitees about securing the future and prosperity of the Australian honey bee industry. The proposed Tocal Apiculture Centre is the result of those enquiries and recommendatons and will provide the opportunity to consolidate and integrate services within the one facility, in what is currently a very fragmented industry. As well as address the imminent closure of the Eastern Creek Quarantne Centre, the establishment of a new bee-centric facility and holistc approach to RD&E (research, development and extension) that will ensure that the future of Australia’s Apiculture and Pollinaton Industries remain productve and sustainable. Fundamental to achieving this goal, is the integraton of a purpose-built quarantne and research centre within the Tocal Apiculture Centre facility, as well as the providing much needed vocatonal training for the industry itself, thus addressing many of its current challenges – the aging workforce, loss of accumulated industry knowledge with no formal transfer process, limited access to educaton and/or training, biosecurity systems that require strengthening, access by beekeepers to areas of natve fora and a lack of general understanding about the importance of the apiculture industry not only as producer of high quality apiary products but a major contributor to ensuring the pollinaton of food and pasture crops. The Centre will also assist industry promoton and awareness via allowing general public access to the facility as part of the region’s tourism initatves. These are all areas of expertse that Tocal College has built its current reputaton on. Major programmatc elements within the design will include administraton ofces, research laboratories, state-of-the-art bee keeping and pollinaton rooms, smoke and hive centres, as well as public viewing area, auditorium, lecture and meetng rooms to atract industry seminars and internatonal conferences. The key users of the Centre are students, researchers, industry groups and partcipants such as beekeepers, associatons, many of whom will travel from across NSW, interstate and from overseas to pursue and experience this unique RD&E experience. It is also hoped that unique experiences such as the public viewing of pollinaton, hive and smoke rooms, will atract tourist and experts from around Australia and overseas that ultmately builds awareness and promotes the Centre.

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 29 2.8 Site Analysis

2.8 SITE ANALYSIS

The proposed site on the Tocal Estate located in the Hunter Valley, has been identfed as the perfect locaton due to its expansive rural setng and extensive reputaton providing excellence in agricultural educaton. The site is also easily accessible to the major metro centres of Sydney (180 kilometers north) and Newcastle (50 minutes) via port, road, rail and air. The 2,200 hectare campus also contains a farm that includes rainforests, wetlands, and dry sclerophyll forests that provides access to essental fora required for bee keeping. The landscape has been developed and designed to refect the Australian environment. The large Spoted Gums represent the original tree types, and plantngs are in harmony with that efect. All plant species are of Australian origin and lawns are mown and maintained, however there is no watering of lawns in dry periods. The campus subsequently refects the various moods of the Australian landscape that is dominated by seasonal infuences.

Figure 2: Tocal Site Map

30 | PART 1 PROJECT INITIATION 2.8.1 Site Selecton on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry inquiry report 2.9 DESIGN & FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS into Rural Skills, Training and Research, was to fully fund an entty such as a Cooperatve Research Centre, The following site features infuenced the specifc The diagram and tables on the following pages set out and guarantee the long term future of the honey bee selecton for the Centre. They are: the foor plan, access, accommodaton and functonal quarantne facility that will be housed in the Eastern specifcatons for the Tocal Apiary. • The spur is the least valuable part of the property Creek Quarantne Facility untl August 2015. Tocal Estate from the farming and grazing aspects. in the Hunter Valley presents an excellent alternatve Diagram 1 below is the proposed Functonal Layout, Table • Very fne views are gained, both into Paterson arrangement to the existng facility. Located in a more 4 on the following page is the Accommodaton Schedule and Weber’s Creek valleys and hence over a large temperate and centralized locaton, it is also easier to and Table 5 on page 32 is the Functonal Analysis for the porton of the property. access for the majority of queen breeders, most of which Centre. • The northern end of the spur gives a most operate out of NSW and Queensland. favorable site relatonship to the existng Tocal Homestead complex. • The northern porton of the spur also gives the most favorable relatonship to the dairies, piggery and poultry yards located on the eastern side of the Tocal Road. • The Tocal Road is the primary means of access to the College and the proposed facility should therefore be located reasonably close to this road. The architect’s vision is for the existng college buildings to merge into the landscape and mature with age. The campus buildings should be seen as rising from the natural resources of the Hunter Valley, using locally sourced materials and local tradesmen. In doing so the project engages and benefts the local community, which promotes awareness and good will within the community. As stated at the beginning of this report, the recommendaton to the Commonwealth Government in a 2008 House of Representatves Standing Commitee Diagram 1: Tocal Apiary Proposed Functonal Layout

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 31 2.9 Design and Functional Analysis

Room Name Number Area Area % Room Name Number Area % Area Area: Administraton Area: Research Facilites Foyer / communal Space 1 60m2 Laboratories 2 100m2 Recepton 1 10m2 Cool Rooms 1 20m2 Staf Ofces 10 24m2 Amenites 1 20m2 Staf Amenites 1 10m2 Storage 1 30m2 Staf Recreatonal /communal 1 100m2 Public Viewing Room 1 40m2 Storage 20m2 Combined Area 200m2 Waste 10m2 20% Circulaton 40m2 Combined Area 265m2 Total 240m2 20% Circulaton 53m2 Building Total 1350m2 17.70% Total 318m2 Building Total 1350m2 23.50% Area: Quarantne Goods Arrival / Pick up 1 20m2 Area: Teaching Faciltes Grafing Rooms 1 20m2 Classrooms 2 100m2 Flight Rooms 5 20m2 Outdoor Amphitheatre 1 60m2 Wash Bays 2 60m2 Amenites 1 10m2 Storage 1 30m2 Storage 1 30m2 First Aid 2 10m2 Communial /Waitng Room 1 10m2 Packaging 1 30m2 Combined Area 210m2 Waste 1 10m2 20% Circulaton 42m2 Public Viewing Space 1 40m2 Total 252m2 Combined Area 300m2 Building Total 1350m2 18.60% 20% Circulaton 60m2 Total 360m2 Building Total 1350m2% 26.60% 32 | PART 1 PROJECT INITIATION Tocal Apiary Accommodation Schedules

Room Name Number Area % Area Area: Honey Workshop Public Viewing space 1 40m2 Uncapping and Extracton Room 1 20m2 Filtraton and Packaging Room 1 30m2 Amenites 1 20m2 Waste 1 10m2 Storage 1 30m2 Combined Area 150m2 20% Circulaton 30m2 Total 180m2 Building Total 1350m2 13.30%

Table 4: Tocal Apiary Accommodaton Schedule

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 33 Tocal Apiary Functional Analysis

Foyer / Administraton 318m1 Functon Occupancy Relatonship Specifcatons This space will be the main entry The foyer and entry will accommodate up The space must have a strong Foyer / Admin area must have adequate natural to the building. to 60 people at one tme from 8am to 5pm, connecton to laborates and quarantne ventlaton and natural lightng. during weekdays. facilites as these areas have restructed The foyer will set the mood for Architecturally it must be provide an inspiring and access. the building and provide an area The space may also be used afer hours and aesthetcally pleasing environment to create a sense of of users to gather. on weekends for special events and open arrival. days.

Research Facilites / Laboratories 240m1 Functon Occupancy Relatonship Specifcatons This space will provide research Laboratories will be occupied during The laboratories must have a visible Laboratory rooms must have both natural and artfcal and testng facilites for staf weekdays from 8am to 5pm by students, relatonship with public viewing spaces. lightng. and students in a controlled staf and accredited bee researchers. It must also connect with amenites, There must be adequate ventlaton and controlled environment. storage and cool rooms. thermal conditons. Rooms must have secure and restricted access and meet BCA requirements for fre separaton.

34 | PART 1 PROJECT INITIATION Teaching Faciltes - classrooms 250m1 Functon Occupancy Relatonship Specifcatons Classrooms will provide much Classrooms will be occupied during Rooms must have a connecton with the Classrooms must have adequate natural lightng and needed teaching space for both weekdays from 8am to 5pm and on entry foyer, amenites and storage. ventlaton. permanent students and the weekends for feld days and visitor visitng public on campus. workshops. The spaces must be pleasant and inspiring and create a comfortable learning environment.

Public Viewing Areas 40m1 Functon Occupancy Relatonship Specifcatons Public viewing areas will provide Viewing spaces will be occupied The space must have a strong Public viewing rooms must have adequate natural a space for visitors to view during weekdays from 8am to 5pm connecton to the recepton, foyer, lightng and ventlaton. restricted laboratories and PEQ and on weekends for feld days and amenttes and honey factory. Rooms must be easily accessed and compliant with BSA facilites from a safe and secure visitor workshops. Viewing areas can It will not have a connecton to standards. room. accommodate up to 40 people at one tme. laboratories and restricted access. Viewing spaces must contain comfortable seatng and Visitors will be able to view Research faciiltes will have a visual purpose built furniture. Spaces must refect the building procedures and processes connecton to viewing rooms. concept. involved in apiculture.

PART 2 PROJECT INITIATION | 35 Tocal Apiary Functional Analysis

Quarantne 300m1 Functon Occupancy Relatonship Specifcatons Post entry quarantne (PEQ) PEQ rooms will be occupied during PEQ rooms must have direct access PEQ rooms must have both natural and artfcal rooms will provide a safe and weekdays from 8am to 5pm. to storage, wash bays, frst aid, cool lightngs. There must be adequate ventlaton and secure facility for importng, rooms, packaging, grafing and bee controlled thermal conditons. These rooms have restructed access by exportng and breeding queen fight rooms. industry professionals / staf only and are Rooms must have secure and restricted access and bee material. security locked at all tmes. There must also be a visual connecton meet BSA requirements for fre separaton. between public viewing spaces and Quarantne facilitesi must be in accordance with quaratne facilites with restricted Australian Quarantne standards issued under the access. Quarantne Act 1908.

Honey Workshop 180m1 Functon Occupancy Relatonship Specifcatons The Honey Factory will act as a The Honey Factory will be occupied The facility to have a strong connecton Rooms must have adequate natural lightng and unique viewing experience for during weekdays from 8am to 5pm and to the recepton, foyer and amenites. ventlaton. the public and visitors. on weekends for feld days and visitor It will not have a connectons to The room must have adequate thermal heatng and workshops. The space can accommodate Both humans and bees will laboratories and quarantne facilites as cooling to regulate the templeratures within the space. up to 40 people at one tme. co-exist in a safe environment. these areas have restricted access. This is needed so that hives don’t overheat in summer The room will act as an Bee hoves must have a 24 hour and freeze in the cold winter months. Rooms must be ‘environmental machine’ heling connecton to the outside environment easily accessed and compliant with BCA standards. to regenerate and pollinate the for foraging and pollinaton. surrounding site. The factory will contain several glass observaton hives creatng a unique experience. The purpose of the room is to educate visitors of the complex processes of the natural world.

36 | PART 1 PROJECT INITIATION