About NGIA

Nursery & Garden Industry Structure Review

In Sydney on Monday 13 November, the Nursery & Garden Industry (NGI) National Board and NGI State Presidents, representatives and Executive Officers met to discuss the second report on the Structure Review of the Australian nursery &garden industry.

The second phase of the review process was an action of the meeting held in November 2016 where the joint meeting collectively agreed that change is necessary for the future of the industry.

Following the formation of the Structure Change Advisory Committee in May 2017, further information and careful consideration has been invested into the second report including financial modelling and consideration of systems and resources required for the proposed new structure. The members of this Committee were Karen Brock, Glenn Fenton, Peter Jong, Estelle Cornell, Bruce Pike and Peter Young.

All organisations involved in the review were represented at the meeting in November 2017. The Structure Review Advisory Committee was present as well as Russell Cummings, Independent Chair and Damien Smith of Enterprise Care, an expert in corporate governance and structural transition. Each organisation in the network also made comment on the report and process.

Outgoing NGIA President Mike Mehigan who has been a strong supporter of the review process said he felt the industry now had a road map on which to move forward. He acknowledged there were issues that needed resolution, but that all concerns could be addressed within the proposed framework.

From the meeting a two page information document has been prepared for members.

The joint NGI Network continues to work through the intricacies of structural change to ensure members see improvements in services and benefits and a streamlined efficient single unified organisation.

Industry Stakeholders are asked to direct their comments to structurereview@ngia.com.au. Information on the review of the structure of the nursery and garden industry in Australia can be found at www.ngia.com.au.

NGIA Members

As the peak body for the Australian nursery and garden industry, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) is responsible for overseeing the national development of our industry. This includes:

• Providing strategic direction and leadership to the industry;
• Liaising with the federal government departments and authorities on relevant industry issues;
• Working with Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIAL) to determine industry research and development (R&D) and marketing initiatives as well as levy funding priorities as detailed in the Industry Strategic Investment Plan;
• Ensuring communication of relevant industry information; and
• Working with the state Nursery & Garden Industries (NGIs) to ensure unity, strength and synergy.

NGIA and the state and territory NGIs represent all sectors of the industry including producers, wholesalers, retailers, allied traders and consultants. By joining your state NGI, you will receive automatic membership of NGIA. An affiliation fee is included in your membership fee and paid to NGIA by your Association.

The Constitution for NGIA is included in this publication.

NGIA Membership

Currently membership of NGIA is an automatic benefit received upon joining your State Nursery & Garden Industry Association. The State and National bodies (NGIs) work together to provide a professional network, industry representation and business development initiatives. To find out more about becoming a member, and the benefits offered, please refer to the NGI page for your State.

If you are an overseas business or organisation interested in membership, please contact NGIA.

Nursery & Garden Industry Strategic Plan

The NGIA Strategy 2016 – 2020 is now into its third year of implementation. The Vision for the strategy is:

Our Industry Vision
We will create a climate for our members and industry to grow and prosper.

Australian nursery and garden businesses make up a multi-billion-dollar industry that plays a vital part in the human, environmental and economic well-being of Australia. Transcending all state borders, it crosses urban, per-urban and rural environments. The industry is far broader than the perceived ornamental market and provides plants across the following seven supply chains:

Urban and Environmental Horticulture:

1. Residential, commercial, industrial and public gardens, green space and developments
2. Environmental and ecological restoration for land management, revegetation, natural area rehabilitation and erosion control
3. Cut flower production

Production Horticulture and Rural Agriculture:

4. Production horticulture for fruit, nut and vegetable production
5. Forestry spanning large scale plantations to agro-forestry
6. Livestock production properties for forage and animal welfare management
7. Medicinal, herbal and remedial products

Contributing to the human, environmental and economic health and well-being of Australia and all Australians.

The five strategic imperatives for the strategy are:

• Leverage Industry Statistics and Data: To Assist our policy development and advocacy efforts by having reliable and accurate industry statistics and data and have an effective voice at federal, state and local levels;
• Engaging &Connecting Industry: To improve communication with members, across the industry and to the wider community;
• Member Benefit Delivery: To optimise the Intellectual Property ("IP") that exists within the NGI network to maximise benefits and value to members;
• Building Product &Industry Value: To improve the understanding of the role of plants in building capable, healthy and sustainable communities;
• NGI Structure: To review the NGI structure to improve efficiency and remove duplication.

Life Members

• Irene Bowden, New World Flora Pty Ltd, WA
• Edward Bunker, Aussie Winners Pty Ltd, QLD
• David Cliffe, Narromine Transplants, NSW
• Ralph Groves, NSW
• Russell Higginbotham, QLD
• Malcolm Lewis, Lewis Horticulture, SA
• David Mathews, Proteaflora Nursery, VIC
• Geoff Richards, Richgro Garden Products, WA
• Teena Sandford, Darwin Plant Wholesalers, NT
• Darryl South, Darwin Plant Wholesalers, NT
• Stuart Swaddling, Tropical Plant Rentals, NSW
• Ben Swane A.M. – Dural, NSW
• Max Warner, Burwood, VIC
• Eric Carter* - Carter's Broadview Nursery, SA
• David H Daly* - Conifer Gardens Nursery, VIC
• George Gay* - Gosnells, WA
• Alan Newport*, NSW
• Valerie Swane OBE*, NSW

* Deceased

Specialist Groups Membership

NGIA Past National Presidents

Industry Marketing

202020 Vision

The 202020 Vision Program is now in its fifth year of operation.

The aim of the program is to support the industry and increase urban green space. The 202020 Vision has set a goal to increase green space by 20% in urban areas by the year 2020.

Cities need more plants and trees, as they're good for health, wellbeing, productivity, keeping cities cool and reducing pollution.

In many urban areas there are negative effects from lack of green spaces and greenery in general, including urban heat islands, poor air quality and lack of enjoyable urban community areas which are all outcomes when green spaces aren't incorporated into new developments and large-scale building projects.

The 202020 Vision team will continue to work with key horticulture, construction and development, architecture, design, sustainability and Government leaders as advocates of the campaign to create an industry-wide movement to measure, inspire and encourage more green spaces.

Urban green space projects will be profiled on the 202020 Vision website to measure and demonstrate the scope and breadth of projects around Australia.

Additionally, more industry organisations will be encouraged to join as partners of the 202020 Vision to lend further support to the vision and raise awareness of it throughout relevant commercial sectors in Australia.

The 202020 Vision will work with industry advocates and partners on the following key areas within green spaces:

• Health
• Productivity
• Aesthetics
• Community
• Commerce
• Wellbeing
• Biophilia
• Heat effects
• Pollution

There are many benefits for being involved in the 202020 Vision campaign such as; access to research, possible grant funding, online social media networks, advertising, an integrated and targeted publicity activities and most of all, a network of like-minded, committed individuals trying to achieve the same goal.

If you think you or your organisation is a green space visionary and future leader who would benefit from this opportunity, then the 202020 Vision campaign is currently recruiting advocates, partners and projects.

Being involved in the 202020 Vision is entirely free as it is funded by the Australian Nursery Industry via the Marketing Levy.

If you become an advocate, all you need to do is commit to the project for at least 12 months, agree that you, your project or organisation be profiled on the 202020 Vision website and in media, advertising and possible events.

In the fifth year the 202020 Vision campaign will continue its work with Government, developers, schools and industry stake holders to increase green spaces. The program will also focus on consumers to increase green space and plant life, either in their own backyard or in their greater community.

Year 5 Activities for 20V

Entering year five, and with unprecedented engagement levels, the 20V Team have structured the program around our key audiences:

• The Network – a holistic program for our engaged partners and advocates
• Community/Schools – an audience with a means for galvanising whole communities around increased green spaces
• Business – working with the established Hort Innovation Green Cities Fund and research partners to engage the business community
• Government – extending our Urban Forestry work through key partnerships with the City of Melbourne and the C40 Resilient Cities Program in Victoria, as well as updated measurement and how-to projects
• Consumer – a dedicated 202020 Vision consumer focus, centred around the Plant Life Balance campaign, to amplify the benefit of green space as it pertains to health and wellbeing, with a focus on all homes and small or difficult spaces.

Another long-term aim for the campaign is to work with the industry, business and Government to simplify and coordinate green space policies and targets.

In the end, all of the work will go towards ensuring that our urban areas are at least 20% greener by 2020.

There are so many ways that the industry can get involved simply contact Lucy Jackson, Account Director 202020 Vision Program at hello@202020vision.com.au, Phone: 02 8097 8746 or learn more at www.202020vision.com.au and www.plantlifebalance.com.au

Sustainable Industry

The sustainable development of Australia's Nursery & Garden Industry is a principal concern for NGIA. In recent times, the industry has developed and released a series of Industry policy papers as well as made submissions to Government in response for feedback on how policy impacts on our industry. Key issues that have been addressed include:

• Biosecurity
• Water
• Invasive plants
• Climate change & environmental sustainability

These documents capture the many environmental achievements of industry and reaffirms that NGIA is committed to achieving on-going improvements in its environmental performance. The publication of these position documents firmly cements Australia’s Nursery &Garden Industry as a true, green industry that has long been concerned about working in harmony with the environment for a sustainable future. These documents can be downloaded from the NGIA website www.ngia.com.au.

Climate Change

The Nursery & Garden Industry has a key role in providing solutions to climate change and variability. The industry maintains a policy paper outlining the key strategies industry believes are necessary in a balanced response to these issues. These strategies are the basis of our research program to show that by increasing plantings in both the urban and agricultural environments the crucial water cycles and carbon cycles can be balanced.

Biosecurity Engagement

One of the biggest threats to the Australian nursery industry is the introduction of exotic pests. Owing to Australia's geographic isolation, our industry has remained relatively free from many exotic pests. To ensure Australia remains that way, effective prevention, control or eradication of exotic pests is vital. Nursery & Garden Industry Australia acknowledges that it plays a vital role in this biosecurity continuum and is therefore actively engaged in several biosecurity initiatives across Australia.

Our industry is at the forefront of developments in biosecurity with representation on Research and Market Access committees. The nursery and garden industry has developed BioSecure HACCP which is an industry-specific biosecurity module for growers to assess their biosecurity hazards and responsibilities and manage the identified risks. The BioSecure HACCP module builds on the Nursery Industry Farm Management System program and enables growers to continually improve their business. These guidelines have been developed to ensure businesses are meeting their boarder obligations and they may also assist in movement of plants and plant products across State, Territory and international borders.

NGIA is also spearheading a significant levy funded project focused on industry awareness of and preparedness for issues of biosecurity concern and developing effective market access mechanisms to maintain business functionality in biosecurity situations.

Nursery &Garden Industry Australia is also a member of Plant Health Australia (PHA) which is the lead national coordinating body for plant health in Australia. Membership to PHA is facilitated through levy funds. NGIA is a signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD) and in 2013 the industry introduced a biosecurity levy. This levy which is currently set at 0% will be enacted in the event of a significant biosecurity incursion and will fund the industries commitment to its share of any response measures.

The points noted demonstrate the significant commitment that industry has to playing its part in the broader biosecurity continuum as well as the leadership role that the industry takes in this sector.

Urban Greenspace

There is no question that plants growing in the urban greenspace have a key part to play in addressing the global issue of climate change and variability. They act as the earth’s lungs, minimise the urban heat island effect and sequester carbon. These are just some of the many benefits of plants growing in the urban greenspace.

In recent years significant progress has been achieved with government at local, state and federal level embracing the opportunities presented by increasing urban greenspace. This support for what our product can do for the environment and for our countries health and wellbeing is encouraging.

The challenge for our industry is to continue raising awareness of the importance of plants and their positive contribution and to support initiatives which align to this. More importantly, industry needs to ensure it capitalises upon the opportunities presented by the increasing wave of urban greenspace support.

Invasive Plants

Invasive plants or weeds are costly to the environment and agricultural production systems. The nursery industry has invested heavily in programs to ensure we have the tools to help industry and consumers assess plants for invasive characteristics and to identify alternatives.

The national Grow Me Instead (GMI) educational program is available online (www.growmeinstead.com.au) and is one of the most important initiatives undertaken by NGIA to address the spread of invasive plants. This program engages industry in a positive and proactive manner to educate gardeners and the wider public towards reducing the number and impact of invasive plants. This program identifies key invasive garden plants and suggests superior, noninvasive alternative plants. In addition to GMI booklets in circulation across Australia, this website will ensure maximum reach across the Australian community of this valuable program. The industry has also developed an approved scientific based assessment matrix to evaluate the invasive characteristics of plants destined for the ornamental sectors. This tool is available online at www.plantrisktool.com.au along with the invasiveness ratings for a number of commonly used nursery stock plants.

Technical information

www.nurseryproductionfms.com.au

The industry now has a dedicated portal for technical information. This easy to navigate website hosts a digital library of technical information covering topics such as pest, disease and weeds, irrigation, growing media as well as hosting the Nursery Production Farm Management System programs (NIASA, EcoHort and BioSecure HACCP). The site also acts as a portal to the industry eLearning platform which hosts a number of industry courses which can be completed online.

Nursery Production Farm Management System (FMS)

www.nurseryproductionfms.com.au

The Nursery Production Farm Management System (FMS) enables businesses to critically evaluate each component of their business, identifying areas of concern and managing identified risks. It allows businesses to validate their business' integrity within the supply chain through an independent auditing process across the disciplines of best management practice, environment and biosecurity.

With consultation, businesses can tailor the FMS to address their unique business risks.

By using a systematic approach businesses will have a pro-active plan for managing change, including technology adoption, resource efficiencies and enhanced profitability.

NGIA has successfully achieved state and territory government recognition of BioSecure HACCP as an on-farm market access program that meets interstate and intrastate quarantine conditions.

The Nursery Production FMS includes the following 3 key programs:

1) Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia (NIASA)

NIASA is a national program designed for production nurseries, greenlife markets and growing media businesses which operate according to industry best management practice. This program is designed to improve production efficiency across the cropping system to enhance business professionalism and profitability. A wide range of issues are covered in this program which includes crop hygiene, crop management practices, water management and general site management. It can also be used as a guide to assist in the setup and establishment of new production nurseries, greenlife markets and growing media businesses.

2) EcoHort - Environmental Management System (EMS)

EcoHort, our industry specific Environmental Management System (EMS), is a set of guidelines that provide a systematic approach for production nurseries, greenlife markets and growing media businesses to assess their environmental and natural resource management responsibilities. It provides businesses with the tools to ensure they can demonstrate to industry, government and the community their sound environmental and natural resource stewardship and compliance with the diverse range of environmental legislation. The program builds on the NIASA program and presents businesses with recognition for their efforts in rising to the environmental challenge.

3) BioSecure HACCP – Biosecurity Management System

BioSecure HACCP is an industry-specific biosecurity program for production nurseries, greenlife markets and growing media businesses. This program provides businesses with a systematic approach to assess on-farm Biosecurity hazards and responsibilities and details how to best manage these identified risks at critical control points. These guidelines have been developed following Hazard Analysis and Critical control Points (HACCP), which is the world recognised standard in risk management processes.

BioSecure HACCP has achieved national recognition and endorsement, by state and territory biosecurity agencies, as the first industry owned legal instrument for accessing interstate markets.

BioSecure HACCP Certified businesses have the opportunity to implement nationally agreed Entry Condition Compliance Procedures to meet and certify interstate/intrastate market access.

These programs help to lift the professionalism of the industry by enabling businesses to continually improve and strive for best management practice, to benchmark their performance and make quality and efficiency gains.

Assistance is available to help businesses implement these programs and once implemented regular audits are conducted. This ensures the ongoing integrity of the program and allows for continuous improvement of the individual business and of the industry. For more information email biosecure@ngia.com.au

Business Improvement

The Nursery & Garden Awards give businesses the opportunity to promote themselves as leaders in the industry.

The program is managed through an online entry process and uses criteria that is internationally aligned to other nursery award programs.

Business improvement is the focus of the program which is delivered through comprehensive feedback for entrants and includes rankings and judges' comments.

The awards process provides the opportunity to revitalise a team environment and improve staff morale. The promotional opportunities brought about by participation and success lead to a more productive nursery and working environment.

The Awards inspires a drive for excellence and makes a strong statement about your commitment to the professionalism of the industry.

The program has recognised businesses in the production, retailer and supplier categories as well as acknowledging plants, products, marketing, innovation, environment and greenlife infrastructure activities.

The Heather Rumsey Young Leader Award seeks to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of individuals in the Australian nursery and garden industry, who display exceptional commitment and passion towards their business, the industry and industry leadership potential. It is open to all industry employees and employers 35 years of age and under.

The awards remain temporarily on hold pending the outcome of the next phase of the Nursery & Garden Industry structure review. For more information on the structure review and the awards visit www.ngia.com.au.