Introduction to the Horticulture Water Initiative
About the Horticulture Water Initiative
HWI Summary Brochure
Review of the Horticulture Water Initiative
Links

The Horticulture Water Initiative has been in existence since 2003.  It is an across industry program that works to achieve adequate, reliable and secure water supplies for all horticultural industries. It advocates for the industry through demonstrating its credentials as an environmentally responsible user of water. 

The initiative achieves its objectives through three key strategies:

1. Demonstration of the economic and social contribution irrigated horticulture makes to the wider community.
2. Promotion of innovations in efficient and environmentally responsible water use.
3. Policy analysis and support to water management decision-makers regarding horticulture’s water needs.

The Horticulture Water Initiative is managed by an industry based Water Steering Committee who meet twice yearly to guide research and policy on water management issues. An industry reference group is kept informed of progress and consulted on key issues.

The horticultural component of the irrigation industry is worth more than $6.5 billion (farm gate) per year in production and involves over 25,000 businesses and employs around 108,000 people. Horticulture represents approximately 40% of the value of production generated by irrigation and more than this when the urban activity associated with turf, nursery and garden industries is included.

Water is a fundamental requirement and is important to horticulture's future. It is for this reason that Horticulture Australia Limited has initiated it's own program to address the issues associated with responsible water use.

The Across Industry funded Horticulture Water Initiative has been set up by Horticulture Australia Limited to provide a coordinated approach and focal point for the horticulture sector's water issues.

The horticulture industry continues to rely on the provision of appropriate quality water to remain viable.  The goal of the Horticulture Water Initiative is:

‘Ensuring access to water for responsible and profitable use’

This goal assumes that the use is sustainable from an economic, environmental and social viewpoint and acknowledges the need to provide evidence supporting these claims.

The Initiative has five broad objectives that have been adopted to achieve this goal. They are:

1. Empower industry
2. Partnerships
3. Innovation and adoption
4. Informing policy
5. Positioning

Overview of Horticulture Industry
Key Strategies
Steering Group
Water Information
Grower Resources
News and Events
Useful Links