This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

The Nursery Industry Development Officer (IDO) Network was a key recommendation of the Industry Development Needs Assessment undertaken in 2008-9. The project built on prior investment in industry extension activities, with improved reporting and monitoring of activities. The State Nursery & Garden Associations were subcontracted to Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) to deliver industry development activities, which overcame the issues of industry diversity and rationality.

The project had delivered key outcomes in the areas of industry accreditation and certification which had been independently analysed to show a return on investment of 40.5 per cent and a benefit cost ratio of 8:1.

Over the period of the project the nursery industry had been under pressure from water restrictions, incursions by a Class 1 disease (Myrtle Rust) and ensuing market access controls for interstate sales, and the Global Financial Crisis which had seen consumer confidence and market expenditure on plants drop.

Industry had survived these pressures due to the inputs from the IDO Network and support services provided to back them up.

Through the project training was provided to over 4000 industry participants, the IDO Network were involved in over 800 audits, 1200 meetings were held on industry critical issues and there were over 9000 engagements with industry stakeholders.

Project evaluation showed that the IDO Network provided great benefit to the industry and was viewed by industry as one of the most important areas for Research and Development investment. It was recommended that the nursery industry continue to fund the Industry Development Officer Network. An independent review of the IDO Network provided guidance to the industry to improve future industry development projects.