National Horticultural Research Network - Horticulture Industry ...

National Horticultural Research Network
Lifestyle Sector RD&E Framework September 2010
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being of the Australian population, climate change mitigation and economic prosperity of the
Australian economy.
3.3 Situation and Outlook
The industries covered by the lifestyle sector include cut flowers, turf and nursery/garden. Statistics
for these industries are notoriously difficult to obtain so the industry based estimates, extracted from
the industry Situation Reports have been used as well as data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(www.abs.gov.au).
3.3.1 Nursery and Garden
The latest available Garden Market Monitor (published by the Nursery and Garden Industry of
Australia) lists national green life (only) sales of at least $2.4 billion annually. The latest figures from
Queensland (the most recent State figures) value the production sector at $639 million for that State
alone.
Table 21 shows the area by State of undercover and outdoor nursery production. The comparison is
between 2007 and 2001 (not 2002 as is used elsewhere) due to availability of data.
Table 21: Production data for the nursery and garden industry
NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas NT & ACT Total 2007
Total Area 1,619 1,937 1,105 298 503 238 184 5,884
(ha) (2007)
Total Area 1,358 1,268 1,289 324 456 236 - 4,930
(ha) (2001)
(Source: ABS Catalogue 7125, 2006-07 and Catalogue 7125, 2000-01)
Nationally and by State, approximately one-tenth of total nursery area is under cover.
3.3.1.1 Production and Locations
Table 21 shows that Australian area covered by nurseries has increased by 19% from 2001 to 2007. In
that time the area applied to nursery production increased in all states except Qld and SA. Vic (32%)
and NSW (27%) are the major production states.
3.3.1.2 Industry Outlook and Drivers
Key RD&E drivers relate to
Understanding and quantifying the financial, emotional, environmental and social benefits of
green infrastructure to the community and individuals.
Reducing the environmental footprint of green infrastructure (reduced/manage input usage)
Improving supply chain efficiencies and logistics
Maintain/improve market access both domestically and internationally.
Quarantine/Biosecurity efficiencies through better industry/government synergies (i.e.
alternate inspectorate models/industry certification schemes)
3.3.2 Turf
Turf grass production and maintenance is an extensive industry in Australia. To date, there is limited
or no data available reflecting the true value and size of the turf industry in Australia nationally, or for
each State individually.
Table 22. Turf production in Australia by State. 2007 (QTPA website: http://www.qtpa.com.au).
NSW Vic Qld SA WA Tas, NT Total
Number of Producers 155 70 152 29 35 15 456
Area (ha) 3206 581 2520 223 382 150 7,062
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