Queensland production nurseries now have access to an updated Natural Disaster Preparation Manual, providing practical, industry-specific guidance to help businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather events.
Developed by Greenlife Industry Queensland (GIQ) and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), the revised manual reflects lessons learned from recent natural disasters affecting production nurseries and responds to the increasing frequency and severity of weather events across Queensland.
For an industry heavily concentrated along Queensland’s coastline, cyclones, floods, severe storms, hail and bushfires can have significant and long-lasting impacts on businesses, infrastructure, crops and staff.
Past cyclone events have resulted in an average nursery income loss of more than $350,000, with full recovery taking up to three years. With these risks in mind, having practical plans and systems in place before an event occurs can make a significant difference to a nursery’s ability to respond and recover.
The updated manual has been designed specifically for production nursery owners and managers and provides practical information covering what to do before, during and after a natural disaster.
Resources include preparedness checklists, business continuity advice, recovery tools and industry-specific case studies.
One of the key improvements is a new, easy-to-access contact page bringing together important emergency services, disaster recovery agencies, industry contacts and mental health support services in one place.
The revised edition also places greater emphasis on mental health and wellbeing, recognising the significant pressures natural disasters can place on business owners, employees and their families.
GIQ CEO Colin Fruk said preparation remained critical for Queensland growers.
“Queensland growers know first-hand how quickly severe weather can impact their businesses, staff and customers. Having a practical plan in place before disaster strikes can make a significant difference to how well a business responds and recovers.
“We’re grateful for the Queensland Government’s support in updating and reprinting this resource so it remains accessible and relevant for our industry. We encourage every nursery business across Queensland to download a copy and make it part of their disaster preparedness planning.”
Queensland’s production nursery industry generates more than $1 billion annually and supports more than 6,000 jobs, while supplying the trees and plants that underpin landscaping, urban greening, horticultural production and greener communities across the state.
QFF CEO Kylie Porter said the industry’s exposure to natural disasters made industry-specific preparedness resources particularly important.
“With the Greenlife industry predominantly located along Queensland’s coastline, cyclones, severe storms, hail and flooding events are all potential risks to a grower’s productivity and profitability.”
The updated manual was reprinted with funding from the Queensland Government’s Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer program, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
GIQ encourages all Queensland production nurseries to download the updated manual, review their current disaster preparedness arrangements and ensure key staff know what to do when severe weather threatens.
GIQ members can also request a free hard copy of the Natural Disaster Preparation Manual by emailing info@greenlifeindustryqld.com.au.
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