Turf QLD Industry Alert |NATIONAL TURFGRASS INDUSTRY (2007)

NATIONAL TURFGRASS INDUSTRY (2007)

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS FROM HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE NEWS (see link) DOCUMENTED IN 2007.

It is estimated that the Australian turfgrass industry may well encompass some 1.1 million ha, contribute some $AUS5.0 billion in maintenance costs, and employ some 80,000 people. In addition an estimated $AUS3.5 billion could be being spent on turf-related businesses and services, $AUS450 million on turfgrass sod, $AUS100 million on turfgrass seed, as well as an estimated payroll of more than $AUS300 million annually going back into the national economy. A recent estimate of the direct annual expenditure costs of the Queensland turfgrass industry gave a figure of AUS$611 million (Aldous and Power, 2004) and in Western Australia, the total economic benefit attributed to community sports fields has been estimated at AUS$65 million in direct expenditure (maintenance, management, local and state government infrastructure development). With 7.4 million households in Australia averaging about 1/3 of an acre (0.13 ha) there is approximately 2 million acres (808,000 ha) of lawn in Australia and this is considered one of the more expanding markets. Australians spend proportionally $AUS3.0 billion on their lawns and gardens per year, or about $AUS150 per household. In New Zealand, sports and amenity turf cover 61,790 hectares, employ some 3,710 fulltime employees and contribute an estimated $NZ329 million per year to the NZ economy. An estimated 4,000 volunteers are used on many New Zealand clubs to keep costs down. Figure 5. Approximately 808,000 ha of lawn are maintained in Australia.

ALSO: According to the above information  it comes to approx 9 Billion per annum for turf maintenance once it has left the farm gate.

http://www.ihc2014.org/download/media/chronica_horticulturae/Turfgrass%20Industry.pdf