CEO’S MESSAGE

Craig Taberner

CEO, NGIV

Autumn is very much upon us, as evidenced by the falling leaves and changing colours in our plantlife. Our industry is tied to the seasons, with each one bringing different opportunities.

I want to take the opportunity to share with you some of the recent advocacy efforts NGIV has undertaken. The need for industry advocacy was bigger than ever over the last year and remains one of NGIV’s key focuses. The groundwork laid in previous years with Government Departments and other industries, was pivotal in NGIV’s ability to represent the needs of our industry throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

From November last year, NGIV has commenced the following advocacy efforts;

» Engaged with all local and federal MP’s whose school won an award through the Victorian Schools Garden

Program (VSGP)

» Engaging with The Hon. Lisa Neville to present the State

VSGP Award Winner, Our Lady Star of the Sea Ocean

Grove, with their prize

» Contacted and congratulated the new Agriculture Minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, on her post, and requested a meeting

» Wrote to former Agriculture Minister, Jacqueline Symes, thanking her for all her industry support

» Engaging with relevant Minister’s to raise awareness of our proposed bushfire recovery project with Buchan

Primary School

» Engagement of a local MP to attend a media opportunity to promote the Connecting Junior Gardeners Program.

» Meeting with local Footscray Member, Katie Hall

» Invited local Members of Parliament to upcoming Tree &

Shrub Growers events

» Employ NGIV Twitter account to increase engagement with relevant Ministers

» Refreshed NGIV’s advocacy brochure with updated policies to circulate amongst relevant Ministers

» Lodged a pre-budget submission.

» In the coming months contact will be made with all targeted

MP’s for face-to-face meetings. There has also been progress with our policy priorities, as follows:

Review of the Victorian Horticulture Sector NGIV wishes to ensure that our next generation of horticulturists meet the needs of a sustainable and skilled workforce, now and into the future. This will be through investment into a comprehensive review:

» “Realisation of Growth Opportunities within the Nursery & Garden Industry Sector”

> Stage 1 – Industry analysis – current and future

> Stage 2 – Gap analysis & recommendations (Supply chain mapping, survey/interviews, data analysis)

Project funding raised with Greenlife Industry Australia – advised that the national statistics project ends soon and that a proposal may be put forward to the Nursery Industry Strategic Advisory Panel.

Biosecurity and Market Access Ensure Victoria remains the national leader in biosecurity management.

Two projects, the Quality Assurance Roadmap and the Industry Governance Model, have been funded by Agriculture Victoria –around strengthening the nursery industry’s management of biosecurity outcomes, both largely focussed on gathering information required to support future “reforms/work” .

Garden Tourism Commitment by the Victorian Government to help facilitate and drive Victoria’s burgeoning Garden Tourism market, alongside committed horticulture partners such as NGIV, Royal Botanic Gardens, Open Gardens Victoria and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS).

In partnership with the Victorian Farmers Federation we are preparing a joint submission to the Agriculture Minister for co-investment into MIFGS.

Victorian Schools NGIV seeks to partner with the Victorian Schools Building Authority (VSBA) to align their Building Quality Standards Handbook, associated materials, and their application to current best practice for the development of climate and curriculum ready outdoor natural infrastructure in our school system.

NGIV has been engaging with Policy Officers at the VSBA and have recommended changes to the Quality Standards Handbook.

We will continue to advocate on behalf of our members for this great industry and we will keep providing you with timely updates.

Helix new Waxflower releases

Whilst displaying a range of white and pink flowering tones, the three new Waxflower hybrids have been selected for their compact form.

Waxflower Cha Cha

“Our early Waxflower releases have mainly come from our cut flower development programme where the selection criteria is very focussed on long stems and high stem yield per plant,” said Adrian Parsons, Managing Director, Helix Australia. Waxflower Ice Queen

“Now with the growing interest in Waxflower for native garden use we are now working hard on selecting hybrid forms which work better in a suburban garden environment, also suitable for rockery and small hedge application,” he said. Waxflower Local Hero

“In addition, the more compact Waxflower forms present a much better shape in a pot for retail sale,” said Parsons.

For further information and to order contact Adrian Parsons e: adrian@helixaustralia.com.au m: 0418 399 539