Citrus Australia Priorities

The Citrus Australia 3 Year Corporate Plan also reflects the last three years of extensive industry-wide planning & consultation efforts but puts the company (Citrus Australia) as top priority, as follows:

• Citrus Australia Members (membership strategy)
• Focus on Governance & Operational efficiency
• Stakeholder and Communication strategy
• Regional transition plans
• Industry development plan
• Establishment of four national committees:

           -   Export market development & promotion

           -   Domestic market development & promotion

           -   Biosecurity

           -   Natural Resource Management

• Align national R&D, marketing and plant health levy investment to industry priorities
• Whole of supply chain focus
• Information / Infocitrus

 Continued national/regional structural reform

In terms of moving the grower organisational structure towards a more integrated and effective representative structure we are pleased to announce, after consideration of a transition plan for Queensland, an agreement with Queensland Citrus Growers to proceed with a full merger commencing immediately. Staff and priority programs (IDO & promotions) will be transferred over as soon as practicable (remaining at their currently leased office in the Brisbane markets) and QCG will be wound up by its own members by June 2009. A regional advisory committee is not expected to be established. Citrus Australia will, however, continue to review and consult with its members in Queensland to ensure their regional needs are being met.

We have found that in the other citrus growing regions there remains confusion/lack of communication with how membership is being transitioned from the old ACG system into Citrus Australia. To make matters more interesting the Citrus Australia Board has not accepted any affiliate membership applications from grower organisations or boards. Our aim is to focus (limited resources) on direct grower members and encourage supply chain affiliate membership. This means many growers are unaware they are not being adequately represented nationally. Citrus Australia directors are determined to support continued structural reform on behalf of Australian citrus growers.

On this note we will be contracting a Project Manager to support regional project groups in SA, VIC, NSW and WA to develop regional transition plans by June 2009.

Citrus Australia has offered to work collaboratively with the citrus boards/organisations in these areas to assist in developing transition plans which offer clarity to growers on the best national/regional structure to represent them and deliver high-quality and efficient services.

Regional project groups will be small skills-based advisory committees of around 5 including Grower Members, independent, & State Board (if agreeable to the process). We would encourage you to consider involvement or input into the committee.

Industry development plan

Running in parallel and complimentary to the regional transition plan project will be the development of an industry development plan as required by Horticulture Australia. Richard deVos has been appointed to facilitate this for the citrus industry and will be consulting widely and closely with the Project Manager (regional transition plans). All industry development activity will be reviewed including whether that be through employed personnel (eg IDO’s), training or communications programs, conferences, field trips, study tours etc. Basically it’s all about best practice adoption of levy and government funded programs.

Citrus Australia Event

Citrus Australia, in conjunction with Woolworths, convened a summit of key smupply chain participants to gather prior to the commenceent of the new citrus season to better understand current challenges and opportunities in the citrus supply chain.

This "first time" event was held on 11 & 12 March 2009 in Sydney and was a joint initiative between Citrus Australia and Woolworths bringing together growers, packers, exporters, marketers, wholesalers and processors. The event included a market tour and an industry pre-season workshop.

"Understanding the Citrus Supply Chain" - click below to view images from the event!

Grower Member views are important

We do not apologise for looking at the glass half full. Citrus Australia will partner with supply chain leaders to move the industry forward. We will fully support our growers through drought, rising costs and a global recession because by 2020 in Australia alone we will have to feed another city the size of Melbourne. Around the world, another 600 cities the size of Melbourne. We need to address long-standing problems and embrace opportunities in new more market-focused ways.

We sincerely appreciate the support of our members, in this our inaugural year. Members are encouraged to contact any one of the Citrus Australia team (Directors & staff) and will be engaged regularly and directly as we move forward.