Consulting for new industry investment plans

Hort Innovation has launched a refreshed approach to shape the future of horticulture investment planning, and now is the time for growers to get involved.

When setting investment plans for Australia’s third-largest agricultural sector, worth $17 billion annually, Hort Innovation’s General Manager for Industry Services, Andrew Francey, asked a simple question: What can we do to help the sector thrive in 2026 and beyond?

The feedback from the horticulture industry was clear:

• Make it easier to access information about investments and their performance, and
• Ensure long-term plans are flexible and responsive to changing market and production conditions.

In response, Hort Innovation adopted a best-in-class consultation approach to inform the development of a new digital investment planning and reporting system. This system will feature industry-specific digital dashboards, designed to make it easier for growers and stakeholders to track projects and their impact.

Where are we now?

Hort Innovation is engaging with all 37 horticulture industries to shape the next generation of investment plans. From now until March 2026, your Industry Service Manager, Gemma Burger, is working closely with Avocados Australia Ltd (AAL), our avocado advisory panels, and growers to review the current Strategic Investment Plan (SIPs) and identify priorities for the future.

This consultation stage introduces a new way of thinking: fewer, clearer objectives and initiatives that can be reviewed annually, not a static five-year list.

Industry feedback is being captured through surveys and industry meetings, that will allow us to understand what’s important and show to industry how decisions are made. The final industry objectives and initiatives will be available for all stakeholders to review.

What’s coming up?

When consultation for Stage 1 wraps up at the end of February 2026, Hort Innovation will begin Stage 2. Feedback from the meetings, surveys and discussions will be translated into a consistent list of objectives and initiatives. These will form the backbone of the new digital dashboard.

This step is essential to ensure industry priorities are clear, measurable and ready to guide future investment.

How can you get involved?

There are several ways to participate and have your voice heard:

• Join the regional strategic planning consultation meetings that are being held in conjunction with AAL’s strategic planning.
• Complete the short online survey to provide feedback using this link https://forms.office.com/r/qV7GHW5nLV or by scanning this QR code
• Contact your Industry Service Manager, Gemma Burger burger@horticulture.com.au or call 0458 650 876

Finally, Stage 3 of the consultation focuses on validation and sign-off. Gemma will present the refined set of prioritised objectives and initiatives list to AAL and the avocado advisory panels for final approval. This stage is about confirming and signing off on the priorities.

The end goal: Better visibility, better decisions, better outcomes

The new Hort Innovation investment planning approach, combined with the digital dashboard, will transform how the avocado industry manages and monitors investments. Annual ‘health checks’ will help ensure investments align with shifting industry needs, while improved visibility will support better decision-making for growers and stakeholders.

Hort Innovation will provide avocado stakeholders and growers with online training to support the new digital dashboard. Details will be provided in early 2026. If you have any questions, please contact Gemma Burger at gemma.burger@horticulture.com.au or call 0458 650 876.

This article appears as part of the 16 January 2026 edition of Guacamole, our eNews.

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