Life relies on Seed ...
Building a way forward for the New South Wales Native Seed Industry
Capacity building - LEP 23-024-RLC_002
The issue
Environmental restoration at scale across New South Wales is contingent upon native seed collected responsibly by skilled and trained personnel, of quantity for intended purposes, responsive to Threatened Ecological Community populations, of diverse genetics and good quality with high germination, collected legally under State legislation. Catchment scale projects have been suggested resulting from government policy decisions however delivery of these restoration projects require significant amounts of seed to propagate planting stock or apply through drone applications. Obtaining enough seed of required species, coupled to timelines for plant production and client supply, have been identified as limiting factors towards scalable restoration programs. Educating clients in relation to supply constraints is also required to moderate expectations.
The solution
Biobank Seeds and Southern New England Landcare were part of a broader collaboration to host the Native Seed Supply Forum 2026 at Uralla. Seed industry experts from Western Australia to Queensland came together to identify current and future barriers to Industry development. A diverse range of delegates attended from native seed suppliers, Landcare, government departments, experts in seed science and applied research, and restoration practitioners. Speakers outlined significant skill sets like developing community networks for seed collection, propagation, growing and planting stocks, to the science of genetics, and establishing forward looking Seed Production Areas. Innovative technology was highlighted through discussions about use of large capacity drones for seeding extensive mine rehabilitation sites.
The impact
The Forum was a catalyst to further discussions and moving forward with development of a State based organisation to identify emerging opportunities, learning from other organisations' successes, to develop strategic and innovative approaches countering industry shortfalls in New South Wales. Emerging government Programs coupled to expanded community expectations, preparing and responding to adverse climatic events, need bulk native seed for extensive restoration activities. The new State based organisation will work towards rationalising and enhancing the native seed industry in New South Wales.
Learnings
Supportive government policy and assistance for the native seed industry is a key factor complimenting a paradigm that the seed industry itself has a responsibility to build capacity through various collaborations. The seed industry can't function as an insular entity. The outcomes for our communities are so broad, collaboration is a fundamental tenant for future development and delivery.
Key facts
- The native seed industry requires national collaboration, strategic planning, staged investment and ongoing government support to meet current and future environmental restoration programs, at scale.