The Joint Tropical Trials Research Establishment was formed by the amalgamation of the Tropical Trials Establishment (CA 2797), and the Joint Tropical Research Unit (CA 2796). The Establishment inherited all the functions of both agencies; the measurement of the effect of the tropical environment on military equipment, investigation of the degradation of materials, the isolation and measurement of tropical environment parameters, carrying out of exposure test trials, and evaluation by physical and chemical means.

The first Officer-in-Charge was Major K.E. Melrose (Acting) (Commonwealth Directory 1978, p.99), who had previously been Officer-in-Charge of the Tropical Trials Establishment.
As well as Pin Gin Hill and other sites around Innisfail, the Establishment maintains sites at Tully, and between Hughenden, Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

The principal users of this facility are the Department of Defence III (CA 46), and its subsiduary agencies (eg. the Aeronautical Research Laboratories (CA 2307) and the Materials Research Laboratories (CA 2553)) the British Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive), and many other commercial, industrial and government bodies (eg. Telecom (CA 2067) and CSIRO (CA 641)). Materials investigated are plastics, rubbers, composites, adhesives, anti-fungal paints, anti-fouling compositions, textiles, light alloys, building materials etc. 

Reference:
"Coping with Climate" in 'Triad, A Defence Magazine', No.11
 

Historical agency address
496 Palmerston Highway, Pin Gin Hill, Innisfail, Qld
Legislation administered
Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Great Britain and Australia, ?24 October 1977