Our Projects

The Turf Industry Development & Extension Project (TIDE) is jointly funded by Hort Innovation/Project Operations, and state/regional funding.

Project Operations funding covers national activities, workshops, research and development, tools and extension with a 70% grower focus, while state/regional funding covers these elements for states and regions with a 30% end user focus.

The TIDE project exists to ensure turf production businesses are equipped with resources and tools to improve their business sustainability, productivity, profitability and resilience.

The project includes on-farm development and extension to strengthen the industry as a whole and reflects outcomes of the TIDE Plan and Needs Analysis Study undertaken by Turf Australia in October 2021. The study was developed to identify grower views and expectations. Five key objectives were established to address the findings of the study and to form the basis of deliverables under the TIDE Project. These objectives include:

Industry Development and Extension Program Strategy

Strategic and nationally coordinated collaboration with turf industry service providers and industry organisations including state and regional associations.

Knowledge Sharing

Between current and past Hort Innovation Turf Industry research and development providers. Knowledge sharing includes the Hort Innovation Frontiers Green Cities Fund and is driven by national and international research and development initiatives.

On Farm and End User Program

This objective delivers industry development and extension activities spread over two years. The aim is to increase capacity to create grower practice change.

Measurement and Review

Including a mid-term review (after two years) focused on a national grower survey, aimed at approximately 220 Australian turf businesses; reporting grower and end-user project benefits – in knowledge, attitude, skills and aspirations – and the implementation of changes in practice aligned to the Turf Strategic Investment Plan 2022-2026 (TSIP) measured outcomes; and making recommendations for the final two years under the TSIP.

Project Milestone Reporting and Completion

This objective includes the completion of project management and reporting templates (including a program logic and monitoring evaluation plan); a project delivery risk register; bi-annual Project Reference Group (PRG) meetings and six-monthly milestone status reports submitted to Hort Innovation, with one final report upon project wrap up in May 2025.

TIDE Project Manager

Eva Ricci
Turf Australia Executive Officer
[email protected]

The Turf Industry Communications Project is funded by Hort Innovation and is responsible for the ongoing communication of Turf Australia- and industry initiatives for the continual improvement and support of the turf industry.

The Communications Project is aimed at informing and celebrating the turf industry. Deliverables under the Communications Project include the TurfConnect industry magazine; QuickCuts e-newsletters; management of Turf Australia’s social media presence; relevant media releases and media liaison as needed; e-newsletter ALERTS for urgent industry notifications; and the production of fact sheets and other topical and promotional resources made available for grower use on farm and/or for distribution to customers/end-users.

Six-monthly milestone reports are submitted to Hort Innovation to outline progress and to list deliverables met.

Communications Project Manager

Yolandè Lundie
Communications & Engagement Coordinator
[email protected]