VALUE OF VICTORIAN NURSERY AND GARDEN INDUSTRY

New project to uncover the value of the Victorian Nursery & Garden Industry

Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) is keen to realise the opportunities for growth within the horticulture sector and its allied trades, which is performing strongly with projections of continued advancement in the medium and longer term.

To achieve this, NGIV is working with consultancy firm RMCG to determine the value of Victoria’s nursery and garden industry and its future growth needs.

“NGIV is investing in a comprehensive review of the Victorian nursery and garden sector, at a state and local government level, to determine its overall value and contribution to the economy. This will go a long way in supporting our discussions with policy makers,” NGIV CEO Craig Taberner said.

“The process will clearly identify the skills gaps and employee shortages and improve future workforce planning. It will also encourage business investment and provide direction as to how the sector can better market horticulture as a career of choice.

“We want to make sure that the next generation of horticulturalists meet the needs of a resilient, sustainable and skilled workforce.” The project, funded by Agriculture Victoria, will involve Victorian nursery and garden businesses upstream of production, including nursery producers and industry supply chain participants.

How it will work

The project will be delivered in three stages.

1. Industry analysis: Industry members and businesses are currently being surveyed and interviewed to collect robust information on the extent, scale and performance of nursery and garden businesses across Victoria. This will help to establish an accurate figure of the overall size of the industry and provide current and future employment estimates. 2. Gap analysis and recommendations: An analysis of the future projections for the skills, workforce, technology and business strategy necessary to support the industry in

realising its potential growth will be undertaken, including consideration of broader workforce influences and current barriers to employment.

It will focus on providing solutions for the industry and draw on activities undertaken by Greenlife Industry Australia. 3. Market growth opportunities: Current export trade and future opportunities in domestic, interstate and export markets will also be reviewed. Recommendations will then be developed to achieve market growth and may incorporate activities such as introducing bespoke strategies at a local government level, co-investment in technology and developing overseas networks, trade missions and planning officers. All information collated during the project will be kept confidential and managed independently by RMCG. Only de-identifiable data will be shared as an aggregate with NGIV and Agriculture Victoria.

Further information

Clinton Muller (RMCG) m: 0498 192 596 or e: clintonm@rmcg.com.au

David Reid (NGIV) m: 0421 885 257 or e: david@ngiv.com.au

Supported by Delivered with

With the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show set to come back bigger and better in 2022, there are a host of opportunities to promote your business, products and services, to up to 100,000 gardening enthusiasts.

Sponsor the Emergent Gardens – showcasing designs from young designers.

Sponsor the Achievable Gardens – offering students and educational institutions the opportunity to showcase their designs skills and horticultural knowledge.

Exhibit at REVEALED – display your latest plant and gardening product innovations.

Book your retail site – NGIV members enjoy a 10% discount to exhibit at Australia’s largest and most loved horticultural event. Email Trent.Cornish@img.com to find out more.

Advertise in March Groundswell 2022 – promote your business in this special consumer-focused edition distributed to attendees of the Show

Donate plant stock and products – show your support to garden designers through donation.

After a two-year hiatus play your part in the return of Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, it’s success benefits Victoria’s entire horticultural industry in so many ways.

Contact NGIV’s Training & Events Officer, Lizzie Earl (lizzie@ngiv.com.au), to find out more about these exciting opportunities to be involved in the Southern Hemisphere’s premier horticulture event.