GROUNDSWELL RRP $8.95
CONTENTS
Volume 31 Number 11 November 2020 PUBLISHER
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NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA PRESIDENT Simon Gomme CEO Craig Taberner
CONTENTS
CONTRIBUTORS Simon Gomme, Leigh
3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Siebler, Craig Taberner, Matt Ross, David
4 CEO’S MESSAGE
Ford, Malcolm Calder
5 JFT NURSERIES BRANCH OUT WITH NEW TREE RANGES
ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599 ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road,
8 AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL TRIALS 2020
Malvern East VIC 3145.
10 PRODUCTION OF MEDIA AT VAN SCHAIK’S BIO GRO
MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO,
13 THE TOP 5 HAZARDS IN HORTICULTURE
Malvern East VIC 3145.
16 LOCAL AND GLOBAL APPETITE FOR AUTOMATION
TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599 FAX (03) 9576 0431
18 GREEN & GROWING
EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au
20 T&SG: IMPROVING EFFICIENCIES IN PRODUCTION
www.ngiv.com.au
23 GROW YOUR RETAIL BUSINESS
FINISHED ART Vale Graphics
24 WHAT DOES AN URBAN FOREST REALLY COST? 26 NEXTGEN: SUMMER JAMES
Our front cover: Dwarf Fruit Trees – JFT Nurseries “Quality that Grows” now and into the future. www.jftnurseries.com.au
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M: 0409 88 77 06 E: angie@valegraphics.com.au PRINTING Norwood Industries 6 Wedgewood Road, Hallam VIC 3803.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Simon Gomme President, NGIV With the end of year fast approaching I’m hopeful that we’ll be ending on a real high. Our retail members will get to open their doors and tap into the gardening boom; meeting the demand for spring stock and fulfilling green thumbed Christmas wishes. NGIV’s Trade Day will be up and running and busier than ever. And our growers will continue to meet the unprecedented demand for greenlife with premium stock. I think we’ve all learnt something about ourselves and how we do business this year, as we get closer to a return to normal it’s up to us to bring those learnings with us as we prepare for the new ‘COVID normal’. We’ve all had to adapt how we operated as restrictions were introduced, now we need to apply the same level of commitment, preparation and strategy, to how we might reopen. Whether your business is currently ‘Heavily Restricted’ or ‘Open with a COVIDSafe Plan’, we all need to be as prepared as possible for the future and have all foreseeable measures in place to provide a COVID-safe environment for all staff, patrons, and visitors. The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (victorianchamber.com.au) have created a host of informative resources to help guide you through the transition towards COVID normal business. We came into this year as a united industry, proud and supportive of each other, I hope that 2020 will bring the Victorian horticultural industry even closer together. Look for opportunities to support one another and if anyone is doing it tough, lean on your peers or the team at NGIV for support. Finally, I’d like to extend my gratitude to James Wall as his second two-year tenure on the NGIV Board nears its end. James has brought his extensive knowledge of both retail and growing to the table and has provided invaluable support and input to myself and the other Board members during this time. James’s father was a former NGIV President and Lifetime Member, and James continued that legacy with distinction.
Simon Gomme President, NGIV Powerplants Australia GROUNDSWELL NOVEMBER 2020
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CEO’S MESSAGE
Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV I have high hopes that by the time you’re reading this our November Trade Day went ahead and was enjoyed by many. Trade Day is an event that the team at NGIV look forward to each month and is a chance to connect with our members; it’s something we’ve all missed and hope to bring it back bigger and better than before. We’d like to thank all our Trade Day buyers and stand holders for making the event what it is, the largest horticultural trade market in the southern hemisphere, and call on your continued support to make sure it goes from strength to strength in 2021. Speaking of outstanding events, I have been regularly engaging with the directors and event manager of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS). Talks are ongoing about the delivery of MIFGS 2021 and the event manager have presented some exciting strategies for the MIFGS Board to consider to ensure that MIFGS can operate in 2021 under a covid safe environment. I look forward to sharing those plans with you all in due course, subject to government health directions. Whilst the continuing decline of COVID positive case numbers within Victoria is hugely heartening, our thoughts have been with our metropolitan retail members throughout what has been an extremely difficult time. The work we’ve done in previous years to engage with government and shine a light on our industry has given us a voice that we’ve used to advocate for the safe and early reopening of retail garden centres in metropolitan Melbourne. It is with regret that the Victorian Government have not saw fit to ease their approach towards early reopening for any industry to date.
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The difficulties of 2020 have led many people to discover the joys of gardening and plantlife for the first time, and whilst nobody would have wished for a year like we’ve had, this new appreciation of gardening will bolster our industry for many years to come. We have no doubt that when your doors do open, the customers will come flooding in and the plants will fly out. We continue to work closely with our members to deliver an uplifting horticultural bushfire recovery project that will benefit one of the effected communities. We believe in the power of plantlife to help heal and inspire new growth and hope, in what was a tragic event. I look forward to seeing many of you at what will be a thriving December market.
Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV
PROFILE: JFT NURSERIES
JFT Nurseries branch out with new tree ranges By Matt Ross
JFT Nurseries are always looking for opportunities to evolve and offer something new. In the last eight years there have been two new developments to the founders’ original vision. JFT Nurseries is a family owned business established in 1981 by Murray (Boof) and Beryl James, who moved into growing after transitioning from dairy farming. Subsequently three of their children; Russell, Colin and Heather, worked to build the business further and today two generations of the James and Sands families manage different areas of the nursery and the passion for growing is alive and well. Russell’s daughter Renee is in office administration; Heather’s son Chris oversees crop management and equipment maintenance; Colin’s son Andrew looks after tree production and general management; Heather’s son-in-law Billie manages all potted stock production. Beryl still enjoys visiting the site in Silvan and is very proud to see the family connection is stronger than ever. They are a nursery that looks for opportunities and takes a keen interest in interstate and international trends to evolve and offer something new. In the last eight years there have been two new developments to Boof and Beryl’s vision. The first was the introduction of a true dwarfing range of fruit trees.These dwarf fruit trees take up a third of the space of their traditional relatives, making it easy for the consumer to grow fruit on balconies and small patios.
NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH
We are excited to announce the launch of the SureGro TreeMax newly designed website. We hope you enjoy a more informative and easy to use on-line purchasing portal.
T: 1800 550 000
www.suregrotreemax.com.au GROUNDSWELL NOVEMBER 2020
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PROFILE: JFT NURSERIES u
General Manager Colin James believes this has prompted a younger demographic with less garden space to become enthused by their dwarf tree stock and experience the joy of harvesting their own fruit. He also points out that the COVID-19 pandemic has lead consumers to seek out the health and wellbeing benefits of growing, experiencing a closer connection with nature and providing them with a meaningful use of the extra time they are spending at home. The second major development over recent years has been their potted range. Colin explains he had a vacant block of and that he used to test the growing conditions for a range of potted trees. Two years ago, they set up a new potting area at the nursery in Silvan and the demand has grown from there, with orders growing threefold in that time. Their ongoing search for new lines sees them look at what seedlings are popping up that have something different about them and provides employees with an incentive to look at what might be growing in the paddocks and seedling beds. One employee discovered their Cercis Siliquastrum Showgirl, an upright growing tree with masses of small, purple-pink pea-like flowers. JFT pay royalties on such finds to the employee or, in this instance, to a breast cancer charity chosen by the employee.
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There are 3 or 4 seedlings found by other employees that they are looking at now. Colin believes that this not only produces some fantastic new lines, but also makes staff feel valued and engaged with the business. JFT take the quality of their stock very seriously and pride themselves on delivering a quality tree for the retail nurseries and ultimately recognise that the consumer must have a positive experience for gardening to grow. The increased stringency of Australian plant standards means a lot more work needs to go into trees to get them up to the required criteria and a lot more trees are discarded as a result. Trees that could have been sold ten years ago are now deemed unfit for sale. Situated in the Dandenong Ranges, JFT Nurseries has a growing area covering approximately 80 acres in a region known for its rich volcanic soil and high rainfall, perfect for growing strong healthy trees. They currently employ approximately 25 full time staff, with that number growing significantly when they lift and dig their stock in winter and at budding time. Witnessing all stages of a growing life cycle and feeling the connection to the different seasons are the things that gets Colin out of bed and as passionate about horticulture as his first day as an apprentice. “Something different happens every day and meeting all the challenges that nature serves up keeps things interesting�.
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FEATURE: AHT2020
2020 AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL
TRIALS WEEK 1 – 4 DECEMBER
NGIV is proud to partner with Australia’s top breeders and growers for the Australian Horticultural Trials 2020. Trials Week encompasses multiple events at various locations in Victoria showcasing the very latest innovations in container, bedding, indoor and outdoor plants. We’re looking forward to a fantastic event with on-site experiences and online offerings to enjoy the week wherever you are. 5
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HAAR’S NURSERY NEW GENETIC SHOWCASE
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NORWOOD ONLINE ONLY
SUPER STARTERS START WITH THIS
MAJESTIC YOUNG PLANTS ONLINE ONLY
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POWERPLANTS AUSTRALIA ONLINE ONLY
JD PROPAGATION PLANT TRIALS
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PLANTFEST 2020 ONLINE ONLY
RECYCLED COLOUR ONLINE ONLY
MANSFIELD’S PROPAGATION NURSERY OPEN WEEK
TRIALS WEEK EVENT +
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BALL GROWER TRIALS (BGT)
GARDEN CITY PLASTICS ONLINE ONLY
Tuesday 1 December NGIV Trade Day at Caribbean Gardens Scoresby, 7.00am – 11.30am
NGIV takes every step to ensure the information due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19 and Government restrictions we recommend that you contact NGIV.
Visit www.horticulturaltrials.com for the latest information. 08
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FEATURE: AHT2020
Scoresby 12
Melbourne CBD
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M3
Clayton South
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M11
7&8 9
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Dandenong C101
M420 3
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Skye C777
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Tynong 4
M420 M780
Cranbourne
KEY: M1
Monash/Princes Freeway
M3
Eastlink
M11
Mornington Peninsula Freeway
5&6
M420 South Gippsland Highway
M780 Westernport Highway C101 Old Princes Highway C777 Frankston – Flinders Road
Pearcedale Unit 3, 307 Wa letree Rd Malvern East VIC 3145 E: ngiv@ngiv.com.au T: (03) 9576 0599 www.ngiv.com.au
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PROFILE: VAN SCHAIK’S BIO GRO
Production of media at Van Schaik’s Bio Gro By David Ford, Van Schaik’s Bio Gro When keen gardeners whether they are experienced or new comers to gardening peruse the aisles of their local retailer for the perfect plant, they may not necessarily be aware that without the incredible story of the development of Australian potting media, we would not have the phenomenal nursery and landscape industries and quality of plants we see today. Potting media is not soil. Quality potting media is predominantly made from radiata softwood pine bark that is sourced from sustainable softwood plantation forests. Bio Gro sources its bark from radiata softwood pine forests, initially established over 110 years ago in the south east of South Australia by the South Australian Government. The forests are akin to a sustainable crop that undergoes a number of thinning operations before the remaining trees are clear felled at an average age of 30 years. Bio Gro is a major contributor to the circular economy as it produces bark based product that the foresters then use in the growing of pine seedlings
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that get planted after a clear fell operation, a classic example of the circular economy. Once the trees are logged, they are taken to local timber mills for processing. From Bio Gro’s viewpoint the main part of the process is removing the bark from the sawlog known as de-barking. Once the log has been de-barked, the bark residue is collected by our vehicles and transferred to Bio Gro’s 110 acre composting site located in Wandilo located 15kms north of Mount Gambier in the south east of South Australia. Wandilo processes the raw ungraded bark into high quality potting media and landscape products.
PROFILE: VAN SCHAIK’S BIO GRO
Bio Gro’s Wandilo operation is one of the largest fully licenced EPA composting sites in Australia. Bio Gro’s objective is to be an organic solution provider for a range of customers including government, industry and the community. Bio Gro’s operations reduce organic material going into landfill and it is now very well documented the benefits to communities and the environment by reducing landfill intake. The manufacturing process at Wandilo initially involves grinding and screening of the raw pine bark to create multiple sizes, or fractions of bark products ready for either the composting process or to go into our range of top quality bark landscape products. All composting processes at Wandilo meet Australian Standards and are in accordance with AS 4454.2012. To ensure premium quality potting media there are some critical processes and procedures to follow. To achieve premium quality potting media a very precise sequence of events is required including but not limited to: >
Activation timing
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Moisture control
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Temperate control and time at specific temperatures
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Specifically designed turning and screening regimes
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Maintaining optimum pH levels
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Regular QA checks throughout the cycle
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Inventory control to ensure consistency of product
natives / exotics / grasses ornamentals / contract grow specialists
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INFO@TALL A TREES.COM.AU (03) 59830 166 | TALL TA TREES.COM.A T U GROUNDSWELL NOVEMBER 2020
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PROFILE: VAN SCHAIK’S BIO GRO u
Our Quality Assurance “QA� team sign off on all the base potting media using the equipment and facilities of the Wandilo laboratory. At that stage we then have a base potting media ready for the addition of specific trace elements and fertilisers for individual customer requirements. The process of selecting key inputs for the potting media is about understanding the growing conditions and the plants to be grown. Factors including container size, watering systems, types of plants whether grown undercover or outside and even factors such as liquid feed onsite, all need to be taken into consideration when making the optimum potting media for a customer. Bio Gro prides itself on having tried and tested results in the field to assist growers in customising the media that suits their application and is fit for their specific purpose. What is important to recognise is that potting media is a living product, it evolves over time and this is what makes it a fantastic product to work with. It is critical to understand the importance of regular quality checks to ensure the life of the potting media supports the customer requirements. Bio Gro is privileged to have worked over many years with some of the best nurseries in the country to finetune our craft.
Early Blue A
First White Whit A
Pink Sens Sensation A
Grown under license from Sprint Horticulture Pty Ltd
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BUSINESS NEWS
The top 5 hazards in horticulture Did you know that the highest contributing occupation for serious claims in agriculture are workers in farm, forestry, and garden? Workers in these fields equate to 49 per cent or an average of 1,350 claims per year according to Safe Work Australia’s Priority Industry Snapshot (Agriculture 2018). From this snapshot, we know the main cause of injuries in the horticulture sector are from muscular stress and falls on the same level. Like all sub-industries that make up the agricultural industry, plant nurseries come with their own health and safety challenges. Whilst the list below may not be unique, they are the most common hazards in horticulture.
Manual Handling In Horticulture, specifically plant nursery workers, the number one injury causing hazard is manual handling. Most day to day tasks will require some form of manual handling which can lead to a range of sprains and strains. Manual handling can generally be split into two groups, those that have an immediate impact and include high force movements such as pushing and pulling trolleys, loading and unloading bulky items as well as lifting, carrying and restraining loads. The second group consists of low impact, but repetitive movement such as potting or pruning. Repetitive movement can cause damage involving overextending or attempting to move heavy items can cause gradual wear and tear on your body down. Being static for long periods of time can have a negative impact on your posture.
Hazardous Substances Use of chemicals in horticulture is common. When you fail to handle, store, and dispose of hazardous chemicals appropriately, you are risking illness and sometimes even death. This exposure to hazardous chemicals is often a preventable situation in plant nurseries and most horticultural workplaces.
Do you know what is classified as a hazardous chemical or substance? Generally, it is any material or mixture that can put a person at risk, this can include insecticides, herbicides, fuels, and cleaners. Exposure to these hazards can come in the form of vapours, liquids, and gases that can be corrosive and toxic. As part of your hazardous chemical administrative process, you should ensure anyone using chemicals has received training in their safe use, and also maintain a digital Chemical Manifest for tracking. Safe Ag Systems provides a simple solution included in its software. Maintain your chemical manifest in a digital system that can be accessed anywhere. Don’t risk losing your paper Safety Data Sheets, save them and link to the digital copy. A chemical inventory will allow you to access a list as well as usage, location of use and weather conditions when spraying, etc. When maintaining your chemical manifest, you must include a copy or link to the relevant manufacturers current Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS must provide information on the hazardous chemical including ingredients, health and emergency response procedures, safe handling as well as transportation, storage and disposal. When there is no other option and chemical exposure is essential, you must provide adequate personal protection equipment for your workers. Safety Data Sheets will guide you on appropriate equipment.
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BUSINESS NEWS u
It is recommended that when outdoors, workers should wear sun safe PPE made of suitable material. This includes a broadbrimmed or legionnaires hat, wrap-around sunglasses, long sleeved shirts with collars, trousers and at least SPF 30+, broad-spectrum sunscreen. As part of your sun safe commitment consider incorporating SunSmart’s resource tools such as the free SunSmart app or sunscreen calculator.
Machinery & Equipment UV Exposure To be able to function at optimum levels, your body needs to maintain a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. Exposure to UV as well as heat, is one of the hazards in horticulture that needs addressing. When you think of heat-related illnesses your mind will picture heat stroke and exhaustion, fainting, heat rash or cramps, but are you aware heat can impact your ability to concentrate and it also affects how your body absorbs chemicals. No matter whether your workers are indoors or outdoors, heat can cause severe health and safety issues. However, when working outdoors ultra-violet radiation (UVR) is a real threat that should be managed. In NSW alone, between 2006/07 – 2016/17, workers compensation claims relating to skin cancer amounted to cost of over $12.5 million (Safe Work NSW, working in extreme heat). Damage caused by UVR is permanent, but there are a number of preventions and protective methods that can be utilised.
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As we always mention, workers have the right to go home safe each day. With the aim to make your workplace safer and work easier, you may use plant, machinery, and equipment to assist with tasks. This could include forklifts, mobile/powered nursery benches, pot handlers, trailers and power tools. Whilst these mechanical aids assist in the reduction of manual handling and increase efficiency, they do present their own risks and hazards. Your workers need to be trained in the correct use of each piece of machinery and equipment. Forklifts are often used for numerous tasks including lifting, stacking and transportation. When operated incorrectly it can result in serious injury and even death through workers being hit or crushed, which is why only licenced operators should use a forklift. There is also a real risk of a forklift tip-over if overloaded or unstable. Identifying safety controls needs to be part of your S.A.F.E. process to manage risks. Plant machinery and equipment should have correct machine guarding over moving parts or areas where a person could be injured – incorporate this as part of safety controls.
BUSINESS NEWS
Incorporating machinery and equipment in your day to day operations presents itself with a hidden hazard, noise. As an employer (PCBU) it is your responsibility to ensure minimise the exposure to noise and where this is not possible, to provide and ensure all workers utilise personal hearing protection such as earmuffs or earplugs. Whilst it may not present itself straight away, years of exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels can result in permanent hearing loss.
Biological Hazards According to SA Health, Legionella Longbeachae, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia, is one of the real risks and a biological hazard in gardening. Biological hazards can be present when handling potting mix, compost, fertilisers and soil. However, it is not just when handling these items. These mixtures can also cause irritation, allergic reactions and respiratory problems as dust and loose particles become airborne and inhaled. To provide adequate protection, your workers need to be supplied with gloves and a disposable, industrial dust mask. Consider implementing best practices such as wetting down soil before use and thoroughly washing your hands after coming in to contact with possible contaminants (Victorian Government, Education and Training, Horticulture Module). Although these are just some of the injury causing hazards, they are not the only ones faced by horticulture and plant nursery workers. The risk of slips, trips and falls can be managed with simple housekeeping measures, such as keeping your walkways clear of obstructions such as tools, cabling or loose mats, ensuring wet or greasy spills are cleaned up promptly and making sure your workers are wearing adequate footwear for their working conditions. Even just reminding people to watch where they are walking, especially if they are carrying objects which could obstruct their view can help.
Where is the industry going? In 2014 nursery, flowers and cultivated turf reported a gross value production of $1,247 million and thanks to high standards across the supply chain, the Australian Horticultural industry has developed a reputation as a sustainable producer of premium safe food (Department of Agriculture, Horticulture fact sheet). With health and safety as a priority, 2020 and 2021 are set to bring challenging disruptions. Seasonal labour shortages are a reality due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, meaning experienced overseas workers that usually contribute will be in short supply.
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PRODUCTION NEWS
Local and global appetite for automation By Malcolm Calder, Transplant Systems Pty Ltd In recent years we have seen a steady upward trend within the production nursery world to explore tangible and workable ways for businesses to automate their growing processes. The two areas that are driving this are high cost of labour and the need for consistent finished product quality outcomes. Nurseries and growers can engage automation at all levels of the production process. Return on Investment (ROI) becomes paramount when purchasing machinery and that means our role as suppliers becomes dependent on clear consultation and that is at the core of what we offer. It’s up to us to help identify a machine operation match to the outcomes needed in the nursery. In this unprecedented time people are spending increased time in their homes and wanting to create a plant-based atmosphere. They want to grow it, admire it, eat it and enjoy the process. Everything from indoor plants and vegetable seedlings to potted fruit trees and ornamentals are in high demand. In Australia and New Zealand this trend is creating a new level of production pressure on nurseries. This in turn has prompted an increased interest in automation and how that could work in a plant production environment. Is this behaviour being replicated globally? Jack Ford, Sales Manager at Agrinomix in Oberlin, Ohio says, “What we have seen in the ‘woody’ side of our business is most projects revolve around material handling as most nursery operations struggle to find labourers that are willing to do that type of work. So, growers are looking for ways to do functions where there is no human touch or bringing the work up to waist level so that workers do not have to bend over”. “While sales of potting machines have been steady, we see broader interests in conveyor systems, buffer tables, and fork systems. All items we struggled with selling in the past but an easy sale today. On the more advanced side, we see nursery growers getting serious about using grading systems and transplanters to
ensure consistent quality from starter plants to finished. Labour rates keep going up, and there are fewer and fewer labourers.” Geert Maris, General Sales Manager at TTA BV in the Netherlands has a similar viewpoint, with growers struggling to find suitable labourers to keep up with the demand for plantlife, “What we are seeing is a trend towards data driven greenhouses for production of plants. This includes a scan management process that tracks plant movement and growth outcomes. People have better control of their systems and it gives a new level of information that can be used to improve even more of the plant growing platform. This in turn saves a lot of labour cost. An example is a combination of sorting, grading and transplanting seedlings. The customers have the ability to do so much with the same machine now. The TTA Flexsorter provides the ability to transplant with vision selection, grading plants with multiple classifications, spacing and set them a bit wider apart and then packing into larger containers. Plants grow for example 50 per cent in the tray in the greenhouse then prior to despatch 50 per cent having been transplanted into a larger cell.” “Another trend is a machine that can actually mix different coloured plants into a single pot. So, as you can see there is becoming a lot more choice on using specific automation. The data generated by the machines can improve operational efficiencies.” “During the COVID crisis a lot of growers are shocked because they cannot gain access to the labour needed in normal conditions. Being unable to calculate labour numbers has meant that we are seeing the best year in history at TTA for automation. Growers can accurately calculate growing cycles for small runs and large runs for herbs, forestry, bedding plants, potted colour and more.”
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PRODUCTION NEWS
The continuing trend into containerised controlled growing has also seen consistently good results. In Australia and New Zealand, we have been privileged to be a contributor in injection moulded tray design, which is important for seeding line operation and bench space economics per plant mass in the nursery. The tray cell design is critical in the successful growing of a healthy plant with attention given to root development over a wide variety of species. A good example is in the forest sector where focus given during the early stages of growing determines the quality of the seedling being planted in the ground. Without a healthy root-system the tree will not perform, and this directly affects the profitability of the forest sector.
When we look at a Transplant Systems TS45 cell tray most observers would not recognise the amount of careful time and effort put into the cell design to enable a specific, consistent seedling outcome. This is a major component in the automation process when growing from seed or cuttings. We believe automation will continue to play a key role in plant production throughout the world. As demand increases, so too does the need for efficiency in production. We look forward, along with a number of key companies here in Australia, to offering and supplying, our industry with operational solutions to help them grow.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Green & Growing Greening the community of Woodlea, Speciality Trees helps a new community flourish The ODS Exemplary Showcase is an annual industry portfolio that brings to life some of the nation’s top public space projects and reaches a targeted audience of over 3600 local and state government, civil and commercial specifiers. This project from Speciality Trees was recently featured in the latest edition. As any developer knows, settling a new community into the surrounding landscape takes time. However, with the installation of advanced or semi-mature trees, a new estate can look at home in half the time – such is the case at Woodlea.
Almost 30 percent of Woodlea is dedicated to open space, including protected woodlands and wetlands, making the successful delivery and installation of quality landscaping material vital for long term success.
Located in Rockbank, approximately 30 kilometres west of Melbourne, Woodlea is a fully-integrated masterplanned residential development that includes commercial shopping hubs, schools and sporting facilities, all designed to link the community to the environment. Every home within Woodlea is promoted as being within walking distance of a park!
As a grower of premium-quality advanced and semi-advanced trees, Speciality Trees was approached by Woodlea to assist with the supply of greenlife for each residential and commercial stage of the project. Brought into the planning process as early as possible to ensure success, Speciality Trees collaborated with the developer on selection, sourcing and supply timings to guarantee what was grown and delivered remained authentic to the Woodlea design concept. Keen to link hardscapes with the natural environment in an urban sensitive and sustainable way, plant selection and placement was paramount to the success of the development. Potentially a 15-year project, the first allocation of trees was provided to Woodlea in 2016. Working closely with project managers 12–18 months in advance of each stage, the company was responsible for supplying tree material that met quality, size and timing expectations. This communication was backed by periodic inspections, to anticipate changes in project timeframes without compromising the landscape design or project budget.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Currently working across Precincts 1 and 2, the site is comprised of approximately 50 stages. To date, Speciality Trees has supplied over 70 different species across the development. Predominant species used include Angophora costata, Lemon-scented gums (Corymbia citriodora), Spotted gums (Corymbia maculata), Eucalyptus mannifera, E. scoparia and E. sideroxylon ‘Rosea’, Ash trees (Fraxinus oxycarpa ‘Raywoodii’), Gleditsia, Ornamental Pear (Pyrus) and Chinese Elm (Ulmus). Numbering 4700 trees and 110,000 plants provided so far, the streetscapes, parks, roads and major play and recreation spaces of Woodlea are blossoming under the knowledgeable hands of Speciality Trees, including significant greenspace elements Frontier Park and the Aintree Walk of Honour. Frontier Park is a large-scale adventure playspace serving the Woodlea community. Helping it to blend with the surrounding landscape, the park was consciously planted with a mix of Kanooka gum (Tristianiopsis), Brachychiton rupestris, Eucalyptus macranda, Corymbia eximia nana and a number of other Australian natives. Respectful of our Nation’s ANZAC history, the Aintree Walk of Honour pays tribute to the brave locals who served, or stayed behind. Planted with lemon-scented gums – a truly Australian plant – along a 500-metre length, the Walk serves as a symbol of the Australian spirit. Grown from 40cm containers into large specimens, the gums are positioned beautifully to oversee the site for the next 50 years and beyond. As an ongoing project, the company continues to offer its expertise to Woodlea, believing sourcing stock in the most cost effective sizes minimises project costs and allows plants the nurturing time needed in the production nursery to grow into the required installation size. Ongoing maintenance will be undertaken by Council upon completion of the entire development, encouraging Speciality Trees to foster a close working relationship throughout the project to ensure longevity of the landscape. Under the expert eye of Speciality Trees, Woodlea is flourishing with a native landscape that ties in seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Providing the community with established greenlife ensures that lived-in feel that speaks of “home”, and will ensure it continues to thrive well into the future.
Project particulars: Client Woodlea/Mirvac Location Rockbank, Victoria Plant Supply Speciality Trees Company Speciality Trees P: 03 9796 8308 E: sales@specialitytrees.com.au specialitytrees.com.au If you have a project you want profiled in the next ODS Exemplary Showcase contact Pilar Danlag at pdanlag@umco.com.au GROUNDSWELL NOVEMBER 2020
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T&SG: PRODUCTION EFFICIENCIES
Tree & Shrub Growers:
Technologies to improve efficiencies in nursery production By Matt Ross On Tuesday 29 September, the Tree & Shrub Growers held an online meeting to discuss how using technology can improve efficiencies in nursery production. The guest speaker was Merijn Kuiper, Automation and Labour Saving Division Manager at Powerplants Australia. The session as ever was expertly hosted by Heath McKenzie of Australian Growing Solutions. Merijn grew up in Holland and indeed horticulture. His dad was a tomato grower and Merijn spent many a day watching him at work in the greenhouse. He has also worked in the horticulture industry in Brazil and Canada, before arriving on these shores. Merijn took us on a journey through the various stages of mechanising industry; from mechanisation to mass production to automation and finally machine learning. He believes that no matter what the business and its specialisation, for almost every task in horticulture there is a mechanised solution. The labour needed to create a product (plant) represents a significant percentage of the overall cost. Australia has among the highest labour costs globally, reduce the amount of labour required to create a product results in increased profit. The first level of introducing machinery to drive production efficiency is mechanisation; the replacement of a human task with a machine. In our industry some examples include potting
machines, pruning machines, tractors or water systems. The outcomes are immediate and tangible, from the installation of the very first machine there are significant efficiency gains, labour savings and the consistency delivered by machinery can result in a better quality product, meaning growers can charge more for a plant and less will die. The second level of mechanisation is mass production; the manufacturing of large quantities of standardised products often using assembly lines or automation tech. It facilitates the efficient production of a large number of similar products. A method first employed by Henry Ford and increasingly used in horticulture. Merijn points out that a conveyor system is not about speed, it’s about consistency and quality. Merijn shared a video case study of a nursery in Brazil to highlight the efficiencies of a conveyor system. Prior to the introduction of mechanised conveyors, the task of stacking pots required 6-9 employees, after the conveyors it required just two, processing 130% more plants in the same time frame, putting less physical strain on the employees and ultimately increasing profit.
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The third level is automation; the technology by which a process is performed with minimal human assistance. Automation or automatic control is the use of various control systems for operating equipment. There are a number of potential immediate benefits of introducing automation; >
Increases efficiency
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Replaces repetitive tasks
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Replaces complex tasks
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Improves accuracy and quality
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Production is faster and more prolific
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Upskilling staff (move them away from hard, repetitive menial work and engage them in managing the process).
Merijn suggests that automation suits the Dutch, Belgian and German approached to horticulture. “In Holland growers are automating everything. They are willing to spend half a million dollars to save half a cent. They are extremely cost driven. Their industry is well suited to automation, they use one pot size and often work with single varieties. In Australia it’s more difficult because of the different pot sizes and the range of stock each grower produces.” Automation in the Australian horticulture industry is increasing though, indeed all industries globally are increasingly embracing automation, and there is a risk that not doing the same could see nursery’s struggle to compete. The final level of mechanisation is machine learning; the study of computer algorithms that improve automatically through
experience. A subset of artificial intelligence that is all around us, from Siri to email spam. Although uncommon it is employed in horticulture; whether it’s camera that can grade orchids, de-leafing robots, picking robots or vision systems to determine whether fruit is ready to pick. Merijn is quick to point out that efficiency is not only about installing machinery. It can come from lean manufacturing, processes and procedures, creating ergonomic work positions, good teamwork and eliminating repetitive movements by employees having what they need where they are. He believes that if a nursery is looking to start introducing machinery for the first time, to start with mechanisation (potting machines, pruning machines, tractors or water systems) before moving on to mass production, automation or machine learning. Merijn suggests that any horticulture businesses looking to introduce some form of mechanisation should first visit peers,
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…reducing the amount of labour required to create a product results in increased profit. u
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RETAIL STATE OF PLAY
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The ‘new normal’ - what will it be? That is the million-dollar question. One thing that is likely in Victoria at least; we will be wearing face masks for some time and being very careful. According to McKinseys, a return to ‘normal’ is a long way off. Here is a summary of their research highlighting six ways consumer behavior has changed in response to COVID-19. Shopping: Bricks ’n’ mortar is still strong but build up your online presence quickly. E-Services: New service platforms to help business, such as, payment services, etc. Home: Finding a spot in the new ‘command central’ for all activities. Home has become a functional hub. Community: Localising the experiences. The near-total shutdown of travel and other constraints have made the local neighborhood more important than ever. Trust: Creating a space for health and affordability. Foot traffic in store, and for travel and events, will return when people trust that spaces are safe. Brand Purpose: Holding brands to higher standards. Some 61 per cent of people claim that how a brand responds during a crisis will have a large impact on whether they continue buying from that brand when the crisis is over.
Looking over Beasley’s Nursery & Tea House, East Doncaster
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Understanding these changes will help companies plan for the recovery. Remember Garden Releaf in March 2021. Date TBC.
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trade shows, overseas nurseries and learn from them; sharing challenges and solutions. Obviously inviting specialists like Powerplants or Transplant Systems to visit your business and provide expert insight. He also suggests searching for video content on youtube so you can see the machinery in use.
The Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria is the largest sectional interest group of the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV). The group consists of members of the NGIV involved with nursery plant production and allied trade and provides fantastic networking opportunities across all areas of industry.
Merijn feels that achieving a ratio of 80% mechanised production and 20% manual production is a good guide for optimal productivity for Victorian horticultural businesses.
Contact NGIV to find out more and learn how to become a member of the Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria.
The session concluded with NGIV’s Policy & Technical Manager, David Reid, sharing a funding opportunity that is aiding Victorian horticulture businesses to introduce mechanisation. The Business Adaptation Grant is designed to assist eligible businesses to meet the costs of adapting workplaces to comply health, safety and social distancing requirements or adapting to required business changes imposed as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Under the program, individual grants between $10,000 and $300,000 will support eligible businesses cover up to 50 per cent of the cost of necessary adaptations to their workplaces. Grants can also be used to purchase machinery or appliances needed to adapt businesses in order to maintain operations during the pandemic. Contact david@ngiv.com.au to discuss your own potential eligibility. We’d like to thank Merijn for the level of enthusiasm and knowledge he brought to the discussion. It was fantastic to bring together industry figures from across Australia to share and learn from one another. Proving that meaningful collaboration can continue despite the logistical challenges.
Calling all NextGen’ers At NGIV we think it’s important to celebrate the next generation of horticulturalists. Our industry is full of people that have gone from apprentice right up to general manager or business owner; enjoying a career for life. Each month in Groundswell we give a young horticulturalist the stage to share the journey they’ve been on and where they hope to get to. The article provides a bit of background on their passion and experience within the industry, their study and their personal interests. Not only is it a chance for them to share their achievements and dreams with the industry, it’s a chance for you, the employer to give them the credit they deserve. If you’re an NGIV member and you have an employee that’s 35 or under that you think they deserves a bit of recognition, email ngiv@ngiv.com.au to find out how to have them featured in Groundswell.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
What does an urban forest really cost? By Matt Ross Decisions on when, where and how urban forests and street trees are established are often made by regulators, planners and developers that need to integrate these decisions within a broader project – e.g. a new development. And these decisions are often not well informed by solid financial information. A Tree Investment Tool that accurately calculates the cost of urban trees and allows industry, developers and key stakeholders across all levels of government to effectively plan for the implementation of trees in urban landscapes, has just been launched. The tool allows users to demonstrate the costs and benefits of successfully establishing and maintaining tree-based urban green space. Understanding the true lifecycle cost of trees will lead to better investment decisions, properly costed operational management, greater community confidence and, ultimately, a healthier urban forest. It is also an important step in ensuring that the natural capital (green assets) can be managed using frameworks and approaches typically used for built assets (e.g. buildings). “Managers of urban forests can now speak the language of accountants when considering urban tree investment decisions,� said Jim Binney, a Director of Natural Capital Economics and one of the developers of the tool.
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The nursery industry is in a unique position to promote the benefits of widespread tree planting to the community and the opportunity to position itself as the supplier of these beneficial trees to the public and private sectors. It also enables investors to understand key decisions relating to tradeoffs between long-term management costs and the size of initial tree stock, or initial management regimes. This will ultimately have implications for the nursery industry and customers better understand the value proposition of better-quality nursery stock. The costing tool was built to meet the needs of industry with domestic and international stakeholders contributing to the process of developing the tool. This included defining critical steps and costs for successfully establishing a tree in an urban landscape such as supply, planting, maintenance and removal. The tool has been tested against real-world situations and workshop participants have provided feedback on its functionality.
INDUSTRY NEWS
The Tree Investment Tool comes with a detailed instruction manual and is available for use by a range of practitioners including urban forest and parks staff at local government and contractor organisations. Information provided ensures the cost of large-scale planting schemes is not underestimated, the true cost of maintenance is understood and can be factored into budget bids, and the benefits or otherwise of investing in larger or higher quality trees on the total life cycle cost can be known. The tool can also be used to calculate the level of financial compensation that could apply where an existing tree (or trees) must be cleared. “We’re already seeing strong interest in the Tree Investment Tool from our key clients as it allows them to mainstream green assets into decision-making” said Dr Dom Blackham from Mosaic Insights, another of the tool developers.
This project was funded through the Hort Innovation Nursery Fund using the nursery R&D levy and contributions from the Australian Government. Resource and environmental economic practitioner Jim Binney presented the tool at TREENET 2020. The tool and manual are available to download and use at horticulture.com.au
Risk: in season now
Risk never goes out of season. From fire and flood to hail damage, from slip-and-trips to greenhouse breakages, nurser y and garden centre businesses face threats that are ever-changing. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered for life’s little surprises. Our insurance brokers know your industr y and the risks that your business face. We will help provide your nurser y or garden centre with the right protection. We can cover you for growing stock, buildings, greenhouses and catastrophe events, so whatever the seasons throw at you, you you can pick up the pieces and carr y on.
Contact us to find out how we can help your business today. Call 03 9412 1555 or visit ajg.com.au/nurseries
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NEXTGEN: SUMMER JAMES
Interview with NextGen
SUMMER JAMES Plantmark Langwarrin Where do you work and what is your role? I work at Plantmark in Langwarrin which is a wholesale plant nursery. I am currently the Trade Market Manager supporting a team of seven employees.
How long have you worked where you are and has your role progressed in the time you’ve been there? I have worked with Plantmark for almost six years. I started with the company as a General Nursery Hand and was thrilled to be offered my current position with such a great team. I have been managing the trade market for almost five years.
What do you like the most about the nursery industry? This industry is filled with people who don't see their roles as just a job, they have a passion for what they are doing and stay in the industry long-term which I hope to do myself. I love the diversity in my role and how each day offers something completely different. I am constantly learning and finding new inspiration from my staff and customers.
Where would you like your career to go within the nursery industry? To be honest I hope I get to stay with Plantmark for as long as I can. I am constantly challenged every day and have picked up so many new skills managing a team. I don’t just see my role as a manager but also a leader and with that comes a whole lot more responsibility.
How did you end up working in the nursery industry? Being brought up by my Grandparents meant I was exposed to their passion for gardening from a young age. I was often outside helping them in the garden (or making a mess) which developed my own appreciation for the hobby. After finishing year 12 I decided to study Outdoor Recreation as I enjoyed the great outdoors. I realised I could combine my early passion for gardening with my love of being outdoors with a career in horticulture; I’ve never looked back.
What is a typical day for you? A typical day in my role would be speaking with customers about their current jobs
or projects and offering advice on plant selection, supporting my team with customer enquiries and enhancing their plant knowledge, and having fun tinkering in the nursery to ensure our plants are thriving. Each day in my role is completely different, I have the pleasure of dealing with people from all facets of the industry, from the small-scale local gardeners and Councils to high-end designers and large-scale commercial work. It’s so interesting hearing about every job, big and small.
Are any of your family members in the horticultural industry? No, I am the first in the family to take up anything in horticulture. My grandparents are very keen gardeners so they think it’s such a blessing I work in the industry.
Did you study horticulture and where did you study? Yes, I completed an apprenticeship in Parks & Gardens at Chisholm Institute. I really enjoyed my three years there; I had some great teachers and learnt a lot of skills which I still use every day.
What level of study are you at presently and how much more do you plan on doing? Having completed a Certificate III in Parks & Gardens I am interested in pursuing further education in Landscape Design. This is an area I really enjoy assisting customers with and would love to expand on my current skills and knowledge.
Hobbies and interest? I really enjoy plant photography. I am very lucky to live near some great native bushland where there are many native orchids to capture.
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PRICE UPDATE
PLATINUM
Increased by $10.87 per tonne (0.55 cents per litre) Prices effective 1 November 2020 (inc GST) Cat
Cents per litre
Melbourne Geelong
Other
A
Base Price
75.25
75.81
76.91
77.35
B
Usage below 2,500 litres
65.91
66.46
67.45
68.00
C
Usage between 2,500 – 5,000 litres
65.36
65.91
66.90
67.45
D
Usage between 5,000 – 10,000 litres
63.71
64.26
65.25
65.80
E
Usage between 10,000 – 30,000 litres
62.61
63.16
64.15
64.70
F
Usage between 30,000 – 50,000 litres
62.03
62.61
63.60
64.15
GOLD
Mildura
SILVER
BRONZE
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