Futureproofing Big Leaf Nursery with NIASA accreditation

5 March 2025

At Big Leaf Wholesale Nursery, resilient management is a core philosophy. With biosecurity challenges and rising demand for sustainable practices, Kieran Studders and his team at Big Leaf Nursery view the Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia (NIASA) as an essential tool for futureproofing their business.

Based in Victoria, the nursery spans over 15 hectares and employs 50 staff, producing premium ornamental plants for retail and wholesale nurseries, landscapers, florists and developers. If you saw the impressive Big Leaf Wholesale Nursery display at the recent ‘Stronger Together’ Greenlife Industry Conference 2025 in Brisbane, you know this is true.

Kieran, with over 40 years of experience in the greenlife industry, and his business partner Greg Philpott have used the NIASA framework to enhance their operations, environmental practices and staff development. With guidance from Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA) extension officers, Big Leaf has implemented sustainable improvements, including:

irrigation upgrades
drainage enhancements
transitioning to treated bore water to reduce environmental impacts.

These changes have enabled Big Leaf to:

improve irrigation efficiency and resource use
reduce pest and disease risks
build resilience through staff development and environmental measures.

Integrated pest management (IPM) has been central to its strategy. By using biological controls, Big Leaf has minimised chemical reliance, reflecting its commitment to sustainable growth and environmental responsibility.

As Big Leaf prepares plants for sale, NIASA accreditation underscores the nursery's high standards and adds value for future stakeholders due to the guaranteed quality.

“We’ve transformed our operations to ensure sustainability and resilience, making Big Leaf a business that will stand the test of time,” said Kieran.

If you are considering NIASA accreditation, chat with your local GIA extension officer. The program offers valuable instruction, procedures, and an assessment checklist for auditing.

Get in touch via:

phone: 1300 95 95 13 · email at info@greenlifeindustry.com.au
the GIA website at www.greenlifeindustry.com.au