President Report: Third consecutive year of growth

Last month I wrote about the benefits of walking the fence of your business.  Essentially this concept follows the idea of completing a political, economic, sustainability, technological, legislative and environmental assessment of your operation.  

The recent release of the nursery industry statistical data is an important tool in evaluating the strategic environment.  The industry, through ACIL Allen Consulting, with support from GIA,  has just completed this analysis and I am advised that much of the information was used at the recent Hort Innovation Strategic Industry Advisory Panel meeting a couple of weeks ago.   

The report identifies the top issues facing the industry including the need to address trends in demand, a productive workforce and technology among them.   I am pleased that Greenlife Industry Australia’s strategic plan is focused on many of these challenges and we are working to address them.  

I’d also like to encourage you to look at the recent announcement around the value of the industry in 19/20 which has increased 6% since 18/19 – our third consecutive year of growth.  I’ve previously raised the positivity and buoyancy within the industry and was very happy to see the industry being acknowledged in recent coverage by ABC Rural highlighting these aspects of our industry. 

On 23 March, the GIA Board met face to face for the first time since the national conference in Perth, early in 2020.  This was a very productive meeting which focused on activities for the 21/22 financial year which is closing in on us.  Of importance was a discussion around the challenges of importation of tissue culture and seed.  GIA is working with the Department of Agriculture to work through these issues and will keep you informed.  

The data has shown as an industry we are prospering.  Unfortunately, the last financial year has challenged your representative bodies as they advocated on your behalf in keeping the industry open.  Representing the important and essential work of the industry needs the support of  business.  

As the financial year comes to a close, I ask you to reflect on your association and how its representation of the industry has ultimately helped your business to face those key challenges and request you consider reciprocating through membership or encouraging a non-member to join.  In the end, when your advocating to Governments, having a strong membership base significantly helps in the discussion.