Marring Country sowing and growing on the South Coast
South Coast cultural education provider Marring Country has opened the doors to its new native plant nursery which will employ locals and sell product nationally thanks to $119,740 in support from the NSW Government.
The funding was awarded under the Aboriginal Economic Development and Business Growth Program which is part of the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust Fund.
The Marring Country Nursery will be established at Bundanon and the project includes site works and a greenhouse. Bundanon will support the project through the provision of land and an ongoing commitment to source plants directly from the nursery to support its bush regeneration work.
The project will employ three Indigenous staff at the nursery in the first 12 months, including a nursery manager and two junior staff who will get on-the-job training.
Marring Country’s CEO Raymond Timbery said the funding will help provide long-term benefits to the environment and the region.
“We are hoping in time the nursery will fill a gap in supply chain of established native plant sales,” Mr Timbery said.
“With its national footprint and buying power this would be a significant opportunity for Marring to upscale and ensure its financial sustainability and that of local Aboriginal people.”
Nursery Manager Nikki Roser said the nursery will create meaningful employment opportunities for Aboriginal people while providing hands-on training and pathways to develop skills in the growing native plant industry.
“It's exciting to be part of a project that supports our community, caring for country, strengthens cultural connections to Country, and creates opportunities for future generations,” Ms Roser said.
The NSW Government funding will also cover up to six site visits for mentoring from Bush to Bowl and the development of a strategic roadmap and ongoing advice for Marring’s native plant business.
Business mentorship is being provided by University of Wollongong's entrepreneurship and start-up business program iAccelerate.
The funding will also cover the purchase of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software program to support administration of the nursery and provide training opportunities for staff in managing sales, stock, taking bookings, communications, staff scheduling and data collection.
Marring already delivers cultural education programs into 25 primary schools across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
The Aboriginal Economic Development and Business Growth Program supports Aboriginal business to identify and deliver new commercial opportunities and training that improve economic and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.
More than $223 million from the NSW Government’s Regional Development Trust Fund is currently being delivered through programs and projects, to provide strategic and sustainable investment where it is needed to support industries, businesses and communities across regional NSW.
For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust