Horticultural Facility

Design document and construct 20 hectare production facility including integrated environmental management system to monitor and control temperature, light, humidity and fertigation.

The 20 hectare glass house is constructed in the high altitude, high sunlight environment of Guyra in the New England Region and is the largest enclosed horticultural facility in Australia.

Buildplan was engaged late 2004 as the managing contractor for the design, planning, construction and commissioning of the $60 million dollar facility that was to be bought on line in three stages – 5 hectares May 2005, a further 5 hectares in November 2006 and the remaining 10 hectares in October 2008.

The facility incorporates the latest European technology including complete computer controlled environment via heating, automated roof vent operation, air conditioned via fogging systems, night insulation and sunlight control via automatic screens, automatic roof washing and chalking systems.

The 75 mega litre lined clean water reservoir provides sufficient storage for the collection of all rainwater from the glazed areas. Water drawn from the storage system is UV and heat sterilized prior to being used in the irrigation and fertigation processes.