Landscaping the positives in an economic downturn (NY09031)

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Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.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?

Landscape Queensland Industries Inc held their annual landscape conference on Friday 7th August 2009 at the Australian Centre of Lifestyle Horticulture, Cleveland. The theme was chosen due to the current economic climate, "Landscape Positives in an Economic Downturn".

The annual conference was designed to encourage, educate and provide innovative processes and methodologies as well as providing the opportunity for the industry base to network and discuss various issues critical to the ongoing sustainability and development of the landscape industry.

The conference addressed the current issues facing the industry:

• Innovation and sustainability in design
• Climate change
• Achieving project payment
• Small business surviving the current economic crisis
• Website as a business tool
• Green roofs innovation
• Accreditation/Certification "Industry Best Practice" for national uptake
• New competency standards for the industry

Delegate numbers were lower than expected with only 40 delegates attending in this time of tight financial concern.

As always, the importance of networking was shown to be high on the delegates list. An extended session by popular demand on Receiving Project Payment and the Process of Getting Paid was well received by all.

Obviously environmental and climate change issues were a matter of concern on the list of important issues facing the landscape industry nationally. Innovation and Biosecurity became a well discussed topic along with the development of new competency standards for the landscape industry.