Business File Archives - Hort Journal Australia

Running a business is hard – but look at the upside!

16/03/2026 John Corban 81 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By John Corban

Running a business is not easy. The early mornings, the physical work, the constant problem-solving, the pressure of keeping jobs profitable, keeping staff happy and wanting to stay, and ensuring clients are satisfied can wear anyone down. If you are feeling stretched, tired or frustrated at times, that does not mean that you are doing it wrong, it means that you are in the thick of running a real business.… Continue reading

Business File Editorial

Look back to move your business forward in 2026

05/02/2026 John Corban 212 Views 0 Comments

By John Corban

As business owners, we are busy and often more hands-on than we want to be. So, when someone asks, ‘How is business going?’ we tend to give quick answers like ‘Not bad, but enquiries are a bit slow’ or ‘I really need another team member.’… Continue reading

Business File Editorial

Update on superannuation tax changes for large balances

10/12/2025 Tara Cuddihy 398 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By Tara Cuddihy

This article builds on my recent story about the proposed tax on superannuation balances over $3 million under the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions (BTSC) policy (see Hort Journal, July 2025). The proposal sparked considerable concern among Australians, particularly those with Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) invested in non-residential properties, including farming land.… Continue reading

(Image: www.freepik.com)

Business File Editorial

Record keeping for Australia’s R&D Tax Incentive

06/11/2025 Tania Harman and Daniel Knox 381 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

What horticulture SMEs need to know

By Tania Harman and Daniel Knox

Small and medium growers in Australia’s horticulture industry often invest in innovation. The R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) can refund a significant portion of these R&D costs (a 43.5 per cent refundable tax offset for eligible small companies), but to benefit, you must maintain strong records.… Continue reading

Business File Editorial

Bouncing back from business setbacks

06/11/2025 By John Corban 478 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By John Corban

Setbacks are an inevitable part of a business. A challenge can feel discouraging when they happen unexpectedly. However, the ability to recover, learn, and stay motivated during tough times often separates resilient business owners from those that struggle.… Continue reading

(Image: www.freepik.com)

Business File Editorial

R&D Tax Incentives for horticulture

09/10/2025 By Tania Harman and Daniel Knox 367 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By Tania Harman and Daniel Knox

The R&D Tax Incentive program provides an opportunity for horticulture businesses to receive financial support for their innovative activities. Understanding what qualifies under this incentive program is crucial.

The R&D Tax Incentive (R&DTI) is jointly administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR).… Continue reading

Nick Abba: Director of Lux Landscapes (Image: Supplied by Nick Abba)

Business File Editorial

Interview with Nick Abba: Director of Lux Landscapes

09/10/2025 John Corban 375 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By John Corban

Lux Landscapes is a premium design, construction and maintenance business operating on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. I worked with Nick Abba in 2019 helping him improve his business. Nick has had great success and growth over the last six years.… Continue reading

(Image: jcomp via Freepik)

Business File Editorial

Succession planning: Ensuring a seamless transition

15/09/2025 Tara Cuddihy 483 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By Tara Cuddihy

Succession planning is a critical aspect for any business, and the horticultural industry is no exception. It can be a daunting task; however it is best to plan and review often to have a robust succession plan in place to ensure the continuity and success of operations.… Continue reading

Business File Editorial

Is a toxic team member costing your business?

15/09/2025 John Corban 555 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By John Corban

In landscaping, where teamwork, reliability, and attitude matter every day on site, one toxic employee can drag down the entire team, annoy your clients, and cost you time and money through disrupted workflow, mistakes and substandard workmanship. Here I outline how to spot a toxic employee, what their behaviour does to your business, and how to deal with it properly.… Continue reading

Papaya crop in northern Queensland (Image: Lecker Farming)

Business File Editorial

How the R&D Tax Incentive fuels papaya innovation

11/08/2025 Tania Harman 667 Views 0 Comments #Tree, Botanic gardens, Garden Design, gardening, horticultural, horticultural industry, landscape, landscape design, Ornamental trees, Shade Trees

By Tania Harman and Daniel Knox

For Lecker Farming, a specialist in papaya propagation on Northern Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, the R&D Tax Incentive is assisting them to continue to drive genetic breakthroughs and set new industry standards.

Lecker Farming, under the stewardship of Gerard Kath, undertakes agricultural research and development activities.… Continue reading

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