Published Monday, 09 July, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
HELP FOR GARDENERS AND LIFESTYLE HORTICULTURE
An action group has been formed to help Queenslanders find new water solutions for their gardens and assist the struggling lifestyle horticulture industry, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today.
“Queenslanders love their gardens, but the roll-out of the necessary water restrictions has really affected our gardens and changed our gardening practices,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The Lifestyle Horticulture Alternative Water Group has been set up by industry, consumers and government agencies to help us to keep our gardens healthy in the drought and support businesses in the lifestyle horticulture industry.
“The formation of the group was an important outcome of a recent meeting I had with representatives from across the lifestyle horticulture industry and government.
“Lifestyle horticulture sectors such as nursery and turf production in particular have been hit hard by a significant decline in household spending due to the urban water restrictions.
“The group is developing practical initiatives to sustain household gardening, such as advice on alternative water sources, such as grey water, and practical tips on using them.”
Well-known gardening personality and lifestyle horticulture businessman John Hawkins is chairing the group and has found the biggest concern of gardeners is how to keep their gardens alive and healthy while still complying with the water restrictions.
“Grey water in particular is a great alternative water solution, but how to use it appropriately is still a ‘grey’ area,” Mr Hawkins said.
“One of the group’s top priorities is to remove the mystery surrounding grey water.
“We will be working with the Department of Natural Resources and Water to produce fact sheets that provide advice and tools to get the most out of this water solution around the home.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will be working closely with the group and has a number of support initiatives already in place, such as developing new turf varieties and helping to boost overseas exports.
“DPI&F researchers are working on new drought and salt tolerant turf varieties as well as finding new ways of planting turf that use less water,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Our water scientists are working to improve irrigation and water use efficiency in production nurseries, as well as testing wireless soil moisture sensors to maximise the returns from every drop of water.
“We are also collaborating with the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture to develop new export opportunities to help sustain the industry and save industry jobs.
“A draft ACLH Lifestyle Horticulture Export Strategy has already been developed and priority international markets identified by industry.
“This is a tough time for the lifestyle horticulture industry and DPI&F will continue to develop initiatives that help our gardens and businesses during this time of unprecedented drought,” Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 32396530.
“Queenslanders love their gardens, but the roll-out of the necessary water restrictions has really affected our gardens and changed our gardening practices,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The Lifestyle Horticulture Alternative Water Group has been set up by industry, consumers and government agencies to help us to keep our gardens healthy in the drought and support businesses in the lifestyle horticulture industry.
“The formation of the group was an important outcome of a recent meeting I had with representatives from across the lifestyle horticulture industry and government.
“Lifestyle horticulture sectors such as nursery and turf production in particular have been hit hard by a significant decline in household spending due to the urban water restrictions.
“The group is developing practical initiatives to sustain household gardening, such as advice on alternative water sources, such as grey water, and practical tips on using them.”
Well-known gardening personality and lifestyle horticulture businessman John Hawkins is chairing the group and has found the biggest concern of gardeners is how to keep their gardens alive and healthy while still complying with the water restrictions.
“Grey water in particular is a great alternative water solution, but how to use it appropriately is still a ‘grey’ area,” Mr Hawkins said.
“One of the group’s top priorities is to remove the mystery surrounding grey water.
“We will be working with the Department of Natural Resources and Water to produce fact sheets that provide advice and tools to get the most out of this water solution around the home.”
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will be working closely with the group and has a number of support initiatives already in place, such as developing new turf varieties and helping to boost overseas exports.
“DPI&F researchers are working on new drought and salt tolerant turf varieties as well as finding new ways of planting turf that use less water,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Our water scientists are working to improve irrigation and water use efficiency in production nurseries, as well as testing wireless soil moisture sensors to maximise the returns from every drop of water.
“We are also collaborating with the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture to develop new export opportunities to help sustain the industry and save industry jobs.
“A draft ACLH Lifestyle Horticulture Export Strategy has already been developed and priority international markets identified by industry.
“This is a tough time for the lifestyle horticulture industry and DPI&F will continue to develop initiatives that help our gardens and businesses during this time of unprecedented drought,” Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 32396530.