What was it all about?

This project, which ran from June 2014 until December 2015, included a series of discrete but interconnected research, development, production, extension and communication activities for the nursery industry. These were aimed at…

• Enhancing biosecurity capacity to prepare for, and to manage, endemic and exotic pests
  
  
• Strengthening industry research and development capacity to drive industry productivity
  
  
• Increasing green life in urban landscapes.

Major achievements of the project were…

• Three collaborative research projects undertaken with higher education institutions on:
  
  
  • The effect of street trees on property values, with the University of Queensland
    
    
  • Improving the health of urban trees by using polluted storm water as a resource, with the University of Melbourne
    
    
  • Understanding and enhancing children’s relationship with local nature through interactive digital interventions, with the University of Technology Sydney.
    
    
• A new water policy was developed for the industry
  
  
• A minor use permits program was completed successfully, to provide pest control options for producers
  
  
• The industry was represented on all relevant biosecurity committees to meet its obligations as a signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, Australia’s exotic plant pest response agreement.