Useful Government Apps For Business
Looking for some planning tools to start or grow your business? Or maybe you’re looking for an app to help you with your tax? Try these free business apps to help you save valuable time.
The 202020 Vision Plan
The 202020 Vision, an initiative to grow Australia's urban green space by 20% by 2020 has launched a new national plan to help reach its goals. The work of 202020 will show what could be achieved by combining industry and government know-how to reverse the urban greening crisis.
Dr Anthony Kachenko wins "Young Leader Award"
Dr Anthony Kachenko has been recognised for his outstanding achievement and contribution to our industry by being presented with the "Young Leader Award" at the 2015 Standards Awards. In his work on Standards Australia’s Technical Committee CS-037, Garden Soils and Potting Mixes, as drafting leader for AS 2303, he skilfully managed to achieve consensus among many divergent views in an emerging area of standardisation.
Water Sprinkler Ban Now In Effect
Winter time in Perth, Mandurah and parts of the South West and Great Southern region means winter sprinkler ban time. Each year Water Corporation enforces a total ban on sprinkler use for scheme and bore water users from 1 June to 31 August which helps to save 4.5 billion litres of water each year.
Greening Vincent
In addition to the 81 street trees the City of Vincent have just planted along Oxford Street, their 'green team' is planting-up other urban villages in the area. 36 new trees (a variety of species) are currently being planted in the footpaths and verges of Mt Hawthorn.
Ellenby Tree Farm Raise Money for Nepal Victims
What was the theme of your display at Perth Garden Festival, where you won the Gold Award?
"The Urban Forest", comparing four different gardens - the bare garden, the edible garden, the antipodeans garden and the exotic garden.
The 2015 Federal Budget And Small Business
The budget has now been announced, but what does it all mean? Decoding the budget for you is business consultant and Biz Buddy owner, Amanda Gascoigne.
MIFGS 2015
The 20th annual Melbourne International Flower & Garden (MIFGS) Show has come to a close. The coveted City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show was awarded to ‘Quietude’ designed by Cycas Landscape Design & Lisa Ellis Gardens, presented by the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
Are You Ready For 'Mobilegeddon'?
When it comes to search on mobile devices, users should get the most relevant and timely results, no matter if the information lives on mobile-friendly web pages or apps. As more people use mobile devices to access the internet, Google's algorithms have to adapt to these usage patterns and on April 21st will be expanding their use of mobile-friendly ranking signals.
Tighten That Load - new laws that affect you
New ‘chain of responsibility’ laws will be introduced into WA on 27 April, 2015. This represents a significant milestone for road safety in WA and is likely to impact on many small businesses involved in the distribution of goods by road.
202020 Vision How To Grow An Urban Forest
Urban forestry, as distinct from arboriculture and horticulture, considers the cumulative benefits of an entire tree population, as well as other urban greenery across a town or city. An urban forest comprises all trees and other vegetation within the municipality and the soil and water that supports it.
Dawson's Garden World Win Major Award
The 112-year-old Dawson’s Garden World was one of two companies inducted into the Family Business Australia WA Hall of Fame earlier this month.
Richgro First In WA To Be BioSecure HACCP Accredited
Congratulations to Geoff Richards and his team at Richgro who are the first business in WA to be BioSecure HACCP accredited. BioSecure HACCP is the on-farm biosecurity program for production nurseries in Australia which validates many of the best management practice strategies employed under the NIASA program.
Conserving Subiaco's Natural Beauty
The City of Subiaco's Plant Pathogen Management Plan 2015-2019 outlines strategies to protect and preserve the natural surrounds in that area from disease. They have highlighted the need for the general public to purchase mulch and plants from NIASA accredited suppliers to ensure diseases are not knowingly introduced.
Perth Garden Festival Wrap Up
What a success PGF 2015 at McCallum Park was this year with great ambience, venue and million dollar smiles from EVERYONE. Even the weather was great, and the downpour ten minutes after closing on Sunday brought about chuckles amongst many trying to pack up. Such was the positive mood at the festival this year. NGIWA would like to thank YOU for your participation, wish you great success in continuous business the rest of the year, and look forwards to seeing you at the next festival, targeted for April 28 - May 1, 2016. We look forwards to welcoming back ALL of you:
- First and foremost, exhibitors from nurseries, garden centres, regardless of membership of NGIWA or not, your support at this event in stock and displays were outstanding;
- Secondly, the other backbone of a good garden show - Landscapers, Landscape Designers, Association reps, nurseries, garden retailers, allied and sponsors, and lecturers + students who put in weeks/months of work presenting their individual landscape displays;
- All other allied and trade exhibitors that return to this show/festival year after year;
- The many speakers from HMA that shared their passion, skills and knowledge to visitors;
- Staff, family and friends who visit the show and made this a great weekend event of gatherings of industry people;
- Many horticultural and non-horticultural non-profit organisations who proudly flew their banners at this event + brought in the support of their members to exhibit or visit, while tirelessly educating the public;
- Good caterers, coffee vans and ice cream caterers that gave more good reasons to make it out for a gathering of family or friends, or work meetings; and
- Ellenby Tree Farm deserved special mention for not only the team put together an intriguing landscape display, but also donated all proceeds from sales to the families who suffered the earthquake in Nepal. This also brought out generosity in visitors, which resulted in raising a total of $10K for the cause.
- Improvements are also in part thanks to:
- Event Management team from CSA, who worked hard to make the 2nd year a great success - with enthusiasm, drive and great networks, adding sponsors and visitors outside the traditional realms of horticulture;
- NGIWA Board for their wisdom and feedback from decades of lessons from the industry and an iconic show, whilst supporting as volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors of stock for landscape displays; and last but not least
- PGF subcommittee, which comprised of reps from CSA team, reps from NGIWA Board & NGIWA CEO. This group held numerous strategy and planning meetings, worked to analyse all the feedback from the past years - the good, the bad and the ugly, and brought you the best of the best.
Congregating in common goal of making it an experience for visitors to visit the festival. Whilst it is education & inspiration in amenity horticulture to the public/visitors was the medium / pull factor of the festival - though ultimately it is happiness from participation by ALL that is the measure of its success!
"I was lucky enough to spend some time in Perth for the Perth Garden Festival in early May. It was a great show and it was lovely to speak to so many passionate WA gardeners. Quite a few show visitors came well prepared and had brought along plant pests to identify and also had photos to proudly show us of their garden. I'm looking forward to the 2016 show already."
Angie Thomas, Yates
2015 Sunsmart Landscape Show Garden Winners Announced
The 2015 Perth Garden Festival blossomed into action this afternoon by announcing the winners of the SunSmart Landscape Show Garden Design Awards. The very best in the landscape design industry in Perth went toe to toe at McCallum Park in the Town of Victoria Park in what is the largest and most significant award ceremony for the garden industry in Perth for many years.
Farewell to Bruce Wright (Miaflora Garden Centre)
Bruce Wright started Miaflora Garden Centre in Inglewood 19yrs ago with only $4000 and has grown the business into an independent garden centre with character. Bruce recently sold Miaflora to a couple with a horticultural background and good experience of garden centre management.
20202 Vision - Support Urban Trees
The National Urban Forest Alliance would like to encourage you to assist them in their endeavour to have Urban Trees recognised in the National Carbon Offset Standard. To support the program all you need to do is complete the submission document to show your commitment to the importance of Urban Trees on a national front.
Quarantine Alert: Don't Post A Pest
The Department of Agriculture and Food has issued a warning to members of the public importing plant material from the Eastern States that they will get caught if they haven’t followed the proper import conditions.
The caution follows a spate of seizures by the department’s Quarantine WA at the mail and parcel facilities which could have posed a risk to the State’s enviable biosecurity status.
Tax Time Tips!
Well it’s that time of year again when we focus our attention on tax planning before 30th June. There are a number of tax minimisation strategies that are often forgotten or overlooked by small business taxpayers. These strategies also help you better understand your business.