What's new?
The best fisherman wins at 2010 National Conference
The 2010 Nursery & Garden Industry National Conference will be held at the tropical seaside location of Darwin in April. The Conference officially begins on the evening of Monday, April 19 but due to the bounty of fish in the Top End, the Conference Committee would like to hold a fishing trip and competition that day, prior to the Welcome Function. Prizes will be given out for the heaviest fish and total length of fish caught.
This trip will be additional to the base conference registration fee. As boats are filling fast and we need to make reservations, we are seeking expressions of interest. Please email us at info@ngia.com.au if you will be in Darwin for the 2010 National Conference and want to prove you are the best fisherman in the industry.
2010 Awards – entries now open!
The 2010 Nursery & Garden Industry (NGI) Awards are now open and entry forms are coming in thick and fast. You have until July 26, 2009 to enter your business, make sure you don’t miss out!
New industry website launched
The new Nursery & Garden Industry website was officially launched on Tuesday, March 9. The website is still at the address www.ngia.com.au, but it has been completely revamped. It is user-friendly, succinct and has a modern, industry appropriate design.
National Invasive Plants Survey – we need your assistance
In recent years, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) has taken significant steps forward in tackling the spread of invasive plants. The launch of the Grow Me Instead state booklets in April was just one of the initiatives designed to educate industry and the wider community.
NGIA is now conducting a national invasive plants survey to address the gaps in knowledge and help us establish the level of awareness growers and retailers have regarding the plants they sell.
Promoting Green-Life Careers
NGIA has commenced an industry career project aptly named Green-Life Careers. As the industry continues to be identified as an area of skills shortage, it is vital that we ensure Australian workers are made aware of the issues, the opportunities and the career pathways available to them within the industry.
Industry Training Package Update
NGIA has been working with industry stakeholders for a number of years on the merger and review of the industry’s Training Package AHC09. Unfortunately the current draft documents, released in April 2009, have not incorporated many of the areas of concern to our industry which have been previously brought to Agrifood Industry Skills Council’s (AFISC’s) attention.
New rules affect plant trade in SA
In South Australia, the Fruit and Plant Protection Act 1992 will be replaced by the Plant Health Act 2009. Changes will come into force this July however, changes affecting nursery trade will not be enforced until January 1, 2010.
Nursery Papers & Clippings
In the June Nursery Paper...
Grow Me Instead – How the nursery industry is addressing the spread of invasive plants
In recent years, NGIA has taken significant steps to address key environmental issues. In this month’s Nursery Paper, Robert Chin and Delwyn Thomas provide an overview of the national Grow Me Instead (GMI) program developed by NGIA in conjunction with the Australian Government to combat the spread of invasive plants.
