Boost for SEQ turf and flower sectors
Published Friday, 07 December, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Queensland’s turf and cut flower producers will be boosted by a new Property Management Systems Initiative to ensure ongoing sustainability.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the project proposed by the Flower Association of Queensland Inc in partnership with the Queensland Turf Producers Association Inc would focus on profitability and sustainability beyond the drought.
There are around 150 turf producers and 460 cut flower producers in Queensland, with the majority of businesses based in south east Queensland.
“These businesses represent important sectors in our state’s economy, delivering around $200 million in products and services each year,” Mr Mulherin said.
“With lifestyle horticulture one of the hardest hit industries by the drought and continuing urban water restrictions, there is a real need for this project and the opportunities it can provide to producers.
“DPI&F will appoint an officer to the project to develop and implement new business practices in south east Queensland over the next three years.
“The officer will be based at the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture at DPI&F’s Redlands Research Station, Cleveland, and help develop a property management system, including environmental best practices for each sector.
“These may include exploring alternative water sources such as on-site recycling and saline bore water to assist turf and cut flower primary producers to become more water efficient.
“Our target is to encourage up to 50 per cent of producers to adopt the new business practices, and for 15 per cent of producers to also develop strategic action plans.
“The success of the project will be measured through improved on-farm production practices.
“The project will link with other lifestyle horticulture initiatives DPI&F already has underway, such as sanitisation of recycled water for production nurseries, improving soil moisture under newly laid turf, and the identification of new drought and salt tolerant turf varieties.”
DPI&F’s Property Management Systems Initiative is a key project under the Queensland Government's Blueprint for the Bush to support rural Queensland.
The project will be supported by the strong partnerships developed between the Flower Association of Queensland Inc, the Queensland Turf Producers Association Inc and ACLH.
Media: 32396530
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the project proposed by the Flower Association of Queensland Inc in partnership with the Queensland Turf Producers Association Inc would focus on profitability and sustainability beyond the drought.
There are around 150 turf producers and 460 cut flower producers in Queensland, with the majority of businesses based in south east Queensland.
“These businesses represent important sectors in our state’s economy, delivering around $200 million in products and services each year,” Mr Mulherin said.
“With lifestyle horticulture one of the hardest hit industries by the drought and continuing urban water restrictions, there is a real need for this project and the opportunities it can provide to producers.
“DPI&F will appoint an officer to the project to develop and implement new business practices in south east Queensland over the next three years.
“The officer will be based at the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulture at DPI&F’s Redlands Research Station, Cleveland, and help develop a property management system, including environmental best practices for each sector.
“These may include exploring alternative water sources such as on-site recycling and saline bore water to assist turf and cut flower primary producers to become more water efficient.
“Our target is to encourage up to 50 per cent of producers to adopt the new business practices, and for 15 per cent of producers to also develop strategic action plans.
“The success of the project will be measured through improved on-farm production practices.
“The project will link with other lifestyle horticulture initiatives DPI&F already has underway, such as sanitisation of recycled water for production nurseries, improving soil moisture under newly laid turf, and the identification of new drought and salt tolerant turf varieties.”
DPI&F’s Property Management Systems Initiative is a key project under the Queensland Government's Blueprint for the Bush to support rural Queensland.
The project will be supported by the strong partnerships developed between the Flower Association of Queensland Inc, the Queensland Turf Producers Association Inc and ACLH.
Media: 32396530