Queensland’s sugar industry has a new scientific hub with the opening of the Innovative Research & Industry Services (IRIS) Laboratories in Brisbane. The facility is equipped with advanced technology to support research in plant breeding, genetics, biosecurity, and precision agriculture.
The sugar industry in Queensland produces about 27 million tonnes of sugarcane each year from 330,000 hectares of farmland. Its value is nearly $2.5 billion. The IRIS Laboratories aim to help growers and millers improve productivity and protect crops from diseases and pests.
This new facility offers faster results and precise research tailored to the needs of the sugar sector. It builds on a $2.8 million investment in scientific research and development, supporting the goal to grow primary industries to $30 billion by 2030.
Additional support includes funding for a glasshouse at the Gatton Research Facility and infrastructure development at Emerald. A $500,000 package is helping develop a plan to expand cane growing in Far North Queensland.
The IRIS Laboratories focus on improving cane and fibre quality, disease screening, and soil and nutrient sciences. They also advance sugarcane genomics to develop strong, disease-resistant varieties.
The facility strengthens Queensland’s position as a leader in sugar industry innovation. It supports long-term sustainability, better profits, and protection for growers and regional communities. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to secure the future of Queensland’s primary industries.