COMPLETED PROJECTS
National Dryland Salinity Program
Australia's National Dryland Salinity Program was a collaborative research and development effort that investigated the causes of, and solutions to, the national problem of dryland salinity between 2003 and 2004.
The first five-year phase of the program was completed in 1998. It focussed on improving the understanding of the causes of dryland salinity and on establishing a collaborative national focus on the R&D effort. A larger, second five-year phase was completed in 2003. This phase continued to identify and research the knowledge gaps in the understanding of the causes and impacts of dryland salinity. It also investigated the socio-economic arrangements that encourage or impede appropriate management of salinity, new production options using saline resources and management of saline landscapes.
In 2003-04, Kiri-ganai Research was selected to oversee the Enhanced Communications Year of the NDSP. During this year, the program synthesised everything it had learnt of the past ten years and produced four key documents, each directed towards particular stakeholders including catchment managers, leading producers and their advisers, policy makers, and people with a general interest in salinity.
Website: www.ndsp.gov.au
Inquiry into Impacts and Trends in Soil Acidity
Soil acidification is a significant issue for the sustainability of farms and landscapes across Australia. In 2003-04, the Victorian Parliament's Environment and Natural Resources Committee reviewed the impacts and trends of acidification and the implications for public policy. Dr Price of Kiri-ganai Research was appointed to provide expert advice to the Committee on the preparation of the content, conclusions and recommendations of the Committee's report.
Website: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/inquiries/soilacidity/
Review of Land & Water Australia's Future Landscapes Program
Since 1998, Land & Water Australia has been at the cutting edge of the use of a range of disciplines and methods to explore the design criteria and the enabling environment for profitable alternative resource uses that are sustainable and in-tune with the inherent characteristics of Australia's unique land scapes and climate. A Futures Program was established in 2002 with an emphasis on understanding how global and national trends may impact on future landscapes and economies (including population, living standards, environmental change and energy supply).
Kiri-ganai Research was selected to undertake a mid-term review of this program and to advise on its future directions. A confidential report was submitted and accepted by the LWA Board in december 2004.
Website: www.lwa.gov.au/arenas.asp?section+27
Business case for a Cooperative Research Centre for Climate Risk Management
Australia's is the most variable climate of all the inhabited continents of earth. It is critical, then, that Australia develop a collaborative research approach to supporting the climate risk management strategies of Australian farmers and businesses.
Kiri-ganai Research was selected to assist a consortium of 5 State and 3 Commonwealth government agencies, seven universities and some of Australia's largest private sector companies including the AWB Limited and Suncorp Ltd, to develop a business case for the establishment of a Cooperative Research Centre focusing on the research and development of climate risk technologies.
The business case was one of a limited number to pass through two selection stages. The collaboration was unsuccessful at the final hurdle, requiring greater industry contributions, which will be forthcoming in the consortium's next bid.
Coordination of an Australian Delegation to the International Salinity Forum, USA 2005
The inaugural International Salinity Forum was convened in Riverside, California USA on 25-27 May 2005. Dr Richard Price of Kiri-ganai Research was a member of the international organising committee overseeing the planning of the forum. In addition to a making a major contribution to the conference organisation, Kiri-ganai Research coordinated and led a delegation of 37 Australian salinity scientists attending the forum. The highlight of Australia's participation in the forum included hosting an "Australia Night" gala event held on 25 May to highlight Australia's salinity science efforts, and a field tour of Utah involving a sub-set of seventeen scientists. Both these events were coordinated by Kiri-ganai Research, with the assistance of the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity, the Utah Department of Food and Agriculture and Consuming Passions.
Website: www.waterresources.ucr.edu
Intensification of apple and pear orchards
Apple and Pear Australia Limited, under a joint Inustry Partnership Program initiative with the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, commissioned Kiri-ganai Research to develop a workplan to establish a network of intensive focus orchards with the aim to increase the adoption of intensive apple and pear production systems. Australia's apple industry in particular is confronted with an urgent need to increase its competitiveness in the light of potential apple imports from New Zealand. The adoption of modern, highly intensive production practices will go some way to meeting this perceived threat.
Kiri-ganai Research's approach resulted in the development of a detailed National Intensification Extension Strategy for the apple and pear industries. At the centre of the strategy are tactics to establish both intensive focus orhards and a network of monitoring blocks across Australia. APAL have taken this startegy and intend to set it within its broader strategic plan for the future of apple and pear production.
The project was completed in July 2005.
Website: www.apal.org.au
Vegetable Industry Partnership -Taking Stock and Setting Directions
This Industry Partnership Program project was a joint venture between the Australian vegetable industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the vegetable industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
The final project report, The Australian Vegetable Industry: Taking Stock and Setting Directions, recommended the immediate establishment of a Vegetable Industry Development Group to rally industry leaders across the supply chain to oversee the implementation of seven Foundation Projects. The Foundation Projects address: strategic planning, industry leadership and structures, global industry analysis, production and processing benchmarking, market development, information provision and decision support, and business skills development.
Website: www.ausveg.com.au
Development of a strategic plan for the Australian Vegetable Industry
Following acceptance of the report, Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Future of the Australian Vegetable Industry, prepared by Kiri-ganai Research in late 2005, the company was asked to prepare a strategic plan for the industry.
The objectives of the project were to 1) generate a cohesive and coordinated national direction for repositioning the Australian vegetable industry and enhance its profitability and growth in a global market; 2) attain across-industry and whole of value chain ownership of the plan; and 3) enlist the commitment of stakeholders to participate and invest in initiatives for implementation of the plan.
The project culminated in the development of the Vegvision 2020 plan, launched by Federal Minister for Agriculture, Peter McGauran, on 14 September 2006. The Plan encompassed five strategies, dealing with Consumers, Markets, Competitiveness, Information and Leadership. The Australian government committed $3 million towards implementation of the plan under its Industry Partnership Programme.
Website: www.avidgroup.net.au
Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Australian Rice Industry
This Industry Partnership Programme project was a joint venture between the Australian rice industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the vegetable industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
The rice industry is currently undergoing institutional reform, with deregulation of the domestic market, and the project should provide insights to assist the industry and its growers remain viable and environmentally sustainable post-deregulation.
Website: www.rga.org.au
Refinement of a survey of NSW Wine-grape growers
The NSW Department of Primary Industries is undertaking a long-term project to improve the sustainability of NSW wine-grape growers. As part of this project officers of the Department designed a survey to determine an initial benchmark of growers' knowledge and practices so as to determine the impact of the project upon its completion. Kiri-ganai Research was asked to use its social research and survey design expertise to refine the survey and to make recommendations on the most effective way to undertake it.
The survey design was completed at the end of October 2006, and the NSW DPI commenced survey trials in November. Dr Jennifer Andrew undertook the project on behalf of Kiri-ganai Research.
Future R, D & E concerning saline land management within agricultural systems
The Sustainable Grazing on Saline Lands (SGSL) initiative of Land Water & Wool, supported jointly by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd and Land & Water Australia, came to completion after five years in December 2006. Leading up to its completion, Kiri-ganai Research was asked to prepare a business case for a second phase of the initiative, and to summarise the knowledge base accumulated on grazing saline lands to that point in time.
The project worked closely with regional groups and researchers involved in SGSL, and with the Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity. The CRC is a joint sponsor of the project, and the knowledge summary that arose from the project will form a part of the CRC's 'prospects' publications. The completed business plan was submitted to AWI and is presently being reviewed. However, elements of the business case were used to support the successful application to establish a new CRC for Future Farm Industries.
The project was completed in December 2006.
Website: www.futurefarmcrc.com.au
Taking Stock and Setting Directions for the Australian Wine Grape Industry
This Industry Partnership Programme project was a joint venture between the Australian wine grape industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
Kiri-ganai Research officers visited a variety of Geographical Indication (GI) regions in most states; talked to more than 160 wine grape growers, winemakers and industry service providers; and analysed industry data and information on its performance and contribution to the Australian economy.
This project identified five strategic imperatives as those that must be addressed by the industry in future in order to achieve this vision: marketing, structural change, supply chain relationships business competitiveness and improved leadership and representative structures.
Coordination of the Public Submission Process for the First Biennial Assessment of the National Water Initiative
Kiri-ganai Research completed a summary and analysis of the public submissions provided under the first biennial review of the National Water Initiative. The results were passed to the National Water Commission for incorporation into its broader review process.
In total, 109 submissions were received from the public, with about 40% from private citizens. The remainder of submissions were from private companies, public interest groups, industry bodies and catchment management authorities. Most of the submissions were made available for public scrutiny through the website of the National Water Commission. Five respondents asked that their submissions be kept confidential.
Website: www.nwc.gov.au
CRC Spatial Information: Development of an agricultural theme
The Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial information engaged Kiri-ganai Research as the leader of its agricultural theme to develop a compelling case for investing in this theme. The case involved considerable consultation with agricultural stakeholders to determine the demand for spatial information technologies and the willingness to pay for them. The project concluded in December 2007 with submission of a comprehensive investment strategy to incorporate into the CRC re-bid process which will take place in 2008.
Website: www.crcsi.com.au
Taking stock and setting directions for the Australian Turf Industry
This Industry Partnership Programme project was a joint venture between the Australian turf industry and the Australian Government. The project was designed to support the industry in evaluating its current situation and to develop practical strategies and actions to improve industry performance and sustainability.
Kiri-ganai Research officers visited a variety of turf production and maintenance sites in most states; consulted with industry members and service providers; and analysed industry data and information on its performance and contribution to the Australian economy.
A comprehensive industry report was provided in September 2007 and reported to the Turf industry's national conference in April 2008.
Website: www.turfaustralia.com.au
Biodiversity in Grain & Graze
This project won the 2008 Banksia Environmental Award under the Land and Biodiversity category.
Biodiversity in Grain & Graze (BiGG) was Australia's largest ever evaluation of biodiversity on mixed farms. A community-government-industry partnership, BiGG's innovative combination of strong science and participatory research achieved an unprecedented understanding of biodiversity on mixed farms and the social, economic and production relationship between farm management and the biodiversity of rural landscapes.
47 participating farmers managing around 170,000ha of farmland took on the role of passionate advocates for biodiversity, selling the message that biodiversity does not start and end in patches of remnant vegetation. BiGG successfully brought together governments, farmers, scientists, ecologists, catchment management authorities, industry organisations, and school children to work for a common goal.
A formal evaluation process showed BiGG's findings are influencing around 8,500 producers across Australia.
Website: www.grainandgraze.com.au
Signposts for Australian Agriculture - Industry triple bottom line reports
Signposts for Australian Agriculture (Signposts) was a partnership initiative between industry, government and research organisations. It provided access to economic, social and environmental data specific to an industry and regions to inform policy development, strategic planning and decision making, research priorities and communication on an industry's 'triple bottom line'.
Kiri-ganai Research completed triple bottom line reports under this partnership for the beef, dairy, grain and horticultural industries.
Website: www.nlwra.gov.au
Evaluation of responses to threats to biodiversity in Australia
The National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) initiated this project as part of the 2008 NLWRA National Biodiversity Assessment. The overall objective of the project was to assess the biodiversity outcomes of selected institutional responses to the threats to Australia's terrestrial biodiversity.
In this context, Kiri-ganai Research examined a range of institutional measures that are implemented nationally and in various states, territories and regions to combat key threats. The report of the evaluation was used by the NLWRA to inform an overall assessment of trends in biodiversity and the effectiveness of various institutional responses to threats. It complemented a set of case studies being conducted by the states and territories to examine biodiversity outcomes of their key mechanisms for biodiversity management.
In conjunction with the project Steering Committee, ten case studies were selected to represent a range of institutions and responses to threats to biodiversity.
• The Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999
• The Tasmanian Midlands component of the Biodiversity Hotspots Program
• Land for Wildlife, Victoria
• Bush Heritage Australia
• Living Landscapes, Western Australia
• The Cotton industry
• Breathe Easy, Greening Australia
• The NT NRM region
• The Kuka Kanyini Watarru project, South Australia
• Brisbane City Council
Website: www.nlwra.gov.au
Convenor: 2nd International Salinity Forum
Following the success of the inaugural International Salinity Forum convened in Riverside, California in April 2005, Dr Richard Price of Kiri-ganai Research was appointed as the Convenor of the 2nd International Salinity Forum. This 2nd Forum convened in Adelaide, Australia over 30 March to 4 April 2008.
Kiri-ganai Research provided technical guidance to the International Organising Committee, which comprised representatives of Australia, USA, Middle East, Pakistan and China. Partners in Australia included the CRC for Plant Based Management of Dryland Salinity, CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration, CRC for Future Irrigation, the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Department of Environment & Heritage, CSIRO Land & Water, National Water Commission and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
Over 500 people, including around 80 international delegates attended the forum, delivering around 240 keynote and concurrent session papers.
Website: www.internationalsalinityforum.org
Strategic Plan for Australian Macadamia Industry
The Australian Macadamia Industry through its peak body, the Australian Macadamia Society, and its industry research and marketing body, Horticulture Australia Ltd, engaged Kiri-ganai Research to prepare a five year strategic plan for the period 2008-2013. The plan will guide industry investments and communications over this time, and help develop relationships across different sectors of the industry.
The project involved a consultation phase over September 2008, a number of workshops and the preparation of discussion papers.
The plan was launched at the national annual macadamia conference on 31 October 2008.
Website: www.macadamias.org