Shaolhaven Aquaponics Grant

[cyberfysh]

I hope the project gets going - a bit of hard empirical research would be very valuable if AP is to move from [mainly] hobby status to being considered a commercially viable sustainable food production option.

[RupertofOZ]

Originally Posted by Murray

started out was to be a 150K project with site meetings and all the boffins present....architects, engineers, landscapers, discuss produce needs for the canteen...solar panel experts...and on and on.

A couple of weeks ago they actually ordered a Maximus kit and told me they needed a discount because they only have 3 thousand dollars.

How prophetic Murray...

The original proposal I drafted encompassed a proposal to compare 4 grow methods...

1) a straight aquaculture system, filtered and fed to nft
2) a "flood & drain" AP system
3) a "UVI raft" AP system
4) a straight hydroponics system

Barebones costed at $150-180,000

The TAFE redrafted the proposal to incorporate their administration costs... and was awarded a total grant of $240,000

The meeting I attended the other week.. revealed that after "admisitrative" costs... and the TAFE "profit".... (WTF???)

I've got $70,000 to play with...

Which has to stretch to a 10 x 30mtr concrete slab, 8 x 20mtr greenhouse, 10 x 4mtr shed, and dual 6 bed BYAP systems...


But at least the project was confirmed as going ahead...


Second planning meeting yesterday (Wednesday)...

Specs for the concrete slab, tank shed, greenhouse and general layout were agreed...

My block of consultancy hours has been approved/confirmed and an order raised... formal quotes for the greenhouse and BYAP systems are being prepared for order processing...

Work on excavation and site preparation should begin next week, and the slab, shed and greenhouse should be complete by about mid September ready for installation of the AP systems... and be cycled in time for summer...

[Castaway]

Whats left after you take your cut out of it Rupe? A couple of blue barrels?

[RupertofOZ]

I'm very proud of my blue barrell system Castaway... and I'm sure the TAFE will get great service out of theirs...

[Murray]

Kicking a few goals there Rupe.....good on you...I hope it goes well.

[RupertofOZ]

Shed slab layed... 10 mtr x 4 mtr.... 3 bays, 2 4x4 bays to house the fish tanks... and a middle bay (2x2) for electrics etc..

Greenhouse slab section formed up... greenhouse will measure 7.5 x 20 mtr...

AP systems and greenhouse due for delivery end of the week...

[RupertofOZ]

Box grate layed through the slab sections to house the plumbing....

Skillion roofed shed framed ready to erect....

End section will have rainwater collection tanks...

[Mantis]

Looks like its going ahead full steam