Infrastructure & procurement
Duckchul Park using the Ecological Genetics Laboratory’s advanced genome sequencer
New greenhouse gas research facility
A major strategic reinvestment project is the new greenhouse gas research facility being built at Lincoln, with completion due in November 2011. It will support our world–class research, attract visiting scientists from overseas, and underpin our partnership in the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and Global Research Alliance. Staff were heavily involved in the design, particularly in optimising space for controlled environment cabinets; isolated areas for measuring, sorting, drying and grinding plant and soil material; and significant new field instrumentation for long–term measurement of greenhouse gas exchange and water use. The building features natural light, energy efficient fittings, insulation, and water reticulation/recycling systems. Our in–house project manager is Green Star Accredited and, although there is no Green Star rating available for a building of this type,
38 the principles were applied throughout the planning and construction, including building–waste management.
Building refurbishments
We continued to use sustainable products and materials, such as InterfaceFlor ReEntry carpet tiles made of recycled and recyclable materials, and less volatile adhesives in our ongoing programme of office and building refurbishments. Enviro–paints were used in repainting the exteriors of Palmerston North and Lincoln buildings.
ICT to support our science
Our Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategy is aligned to government expectations for creating new transformative value from data, collaborative research, disseminating research, and ease–of–access to our databases and collections. It also aims to improve workforce productivity, attract new talent, and share services and procurement initiatives across CRIs to reduce costs. A key goal is providing our mobile workforce with seamless ‘anywhere–anytime’ access to all science data and analytical processes, as well as to the company’s operational systems. This year, we extended our internal Wifi network, evaluated new technologies, and began work on ‘single search’ functionality across our physical and electronic library resources. Staff use Yammer to casually share information, links and ideas with other Landcare Research colleagues. We also used Yammer for some rapid–fire facilitated sessions enabling all staff across all sites to contribute to developing Landcare Research’s vision statement.
We worked with the University of Auckland to establish the Tuakiri New Zealand Access Federation, which simplifies staff access to shared high performance computing resources. Our staff were able to access satellite ‘images’ and process huge data files of Canterbury immediately after the earthquakes.
Procurement
The CRIs collaborate through the CRI Procurement Forum, leveraging off the combined spend to broker excellent supply deals delivering cost and service benefits, and improving sustainability of the supply chain. Our collective insurance contract resulted in significant cost savings for CRIs. In 2012 a hazardous waste contract will be negotiated by the forum to improve our collective capability in measuring, monitoring and managing this important waste stream. Syndicated and government supply contracts have led to further savings and service/ supply improvements. We renegotiated lower rates for our mobile and voice communications, and took advantage of the All–of–Government (AoG) procurement initiatives in new contracts for desktop computing and multi–function printing–copying devices that meet our sustainability standards. We similarly used AoG rates to secure contracts for our field vehicles.