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Toolbox for Greenhouse Construction and Safe Operation

Hort Innovation

RMCG in conjunction with Osborn Consulting Engineers designed the Toolbox for Greenhouse Construction and Safe Operation to provide a comprehensive approach to planning, design, and prevention measures to consider when establishing or expanding a greenhouse operation. The toolbox provides information based on a particular farm activity or issue including:

  • General farm management practices
  • Government approval process
  • Safe operations management practices
  • Infrastructure requirements
  • Access and egress
  • Other issues and common grower concerns

The toolbox considers a range of greenhouse (G) and grow structure (GS) growers with different farming activities, technical issues, and structural technology levels (low, medium or high). A needs analysis was undertaken through a nation-wide survey of G/GS growers to understand where they source information, as well as the strengths and weakness of current regulatory systems in place and available information. This ensured the toolbox was fit-for-purpose.

The toolbox has compiled relevant information that enables growers to make informed decisions in relation to the regulatory procedures, certification, and operation of their greenhouse facilities.

Information is available through an interactive website (www.greenhousetoolbox.com) containing a series of interlinked fact sheets to address each individual farm activity or issue.

Team

Carl Larsen

Carl Larsen

Associate

B.Env.Sci., B.Soc.Sci. (Env.), PG.Cert.CCPI.

Carl is a socio-environmental scientist with 15 years’ experience in planning, delivery and evaluation of agriculture and natural resource management programs, integrated water management, climate change and stakeholder engagement. He understands the practical implications of policy and science on communities and agriculture. Carl has worked with a range of government departments, resource management agencies, research and development corporations, private organisations and communities around Australia on catchment management, sustainable water use, resource management in agriculture/horticulture, land use, climate change, strategic planning, industry development, extension and practice change.

Dr Anne-Maree Boland

Dr Anne-Maree Boland

Principal

PhD., B.Ag.Sci.

Anne-Maree has 25 years’ experience in dealing with natural resource and water management in agricultural industries. This has included research and development and consulting in the areas of sustainable management practices, water use efficiency, recycled water and environmental management systems. Anne-Maree has been a Non-Executive Director for GWRDC and IAL, is a Churchill Fellow and recipient of the University of Melbourne Chancellors Prize. She has extensive experience as a knowledge broker and establishing partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups including government, water and agricultural industries.