MARTIN ROWLAND, DIRECTOR, GX OUTDOORS

Q What are the three biggest challenges facing your industry?

A Some insights into the potential challenges facing the Australian parks and open space industry include extreme weather events, biodiversity conservation, and infrastructure and funding.

Extreme weather, such as droughts, flooding and bushfires, has a significant impact on the management of parks and open spaces. Managing and mitigating the effects while ensuring the safety of visitors and preserving natural ecosystems is a significant challenge for the industry.

In addition, Australia is home to unique and diverse ecosystems, and protecting biodiversity within parks and open spaces is a crucial goal. The challenge lies in preserving and restoring native flora and fauna, while also managing invasive species and addressing the impacts of urbanisation on these areas.

Finally, maintaining and upgrading park infrastructure, such as trails, visitor centres and amenities, requires significant funding. Many parks struggle with limited budgets and the need to balance conservation efforts with providing access and amenities for visitors, which can impact the quality and accessibility of these spaces.

Q What opportunities do you predict for the growth of your industry?

A Some potential opportunities for the growth of the Australian parks and open space industry would include health and wellbeing initiatives and community engagement.

The importance of outdoor spaces for physical and mental health has gained prominence since Covid-19, and health and wellbeing programs, events and facilities within parks have proved to attract a diverse range of visitors, including those seeking stress relief and recreation.

By encouraging local communities to participate in the maintenance and stewardship of parks, we can foster a sense of ownership and connection. Community-led initiatives and volunteer programs for local projects could enhance the quality of these public open spaces.

Q What are the future-proofing factors at play in your industry that will ensure resilience and longevity?

A Future-proofing factors in the Australian parks and open space industry are essential for ensuring the resilience and longevity of these valuable public and natural assets. These factors can help mitigate challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. Elements such as innovation and research, technology integration and adaptive management would be key in this endeavour.

Embracing innovation and staying updated with the latest research in land management, ecology and park design can help parks remain relevant and resilient. Experimentation with new approaches and technologies can lead to improved outcomes.

Embracing technology can also improve park management and visitor experiences. Digital tools, such as apps for wayfinding, educational programs, and real-time alerts for safety and weather conditions, can enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of parks.

Developing flexible and adaptive management plans allow parks to adjust to evolving circumstances. This includes regular assessments of park conditions, visitor needs, and the ability to make necessary changes in response to emerging challenges.

Q What is unique to your company this is not being widely done by others in your industry, and why is it valuable?

A GX Outdoors' commitment to affordable customisation empowers customers to choose products that align perfectly with their unique requirements. This means that customers can tailor our products to their specific needs without incurring exorbitant costs. This level of personalisation, whether it’s a specific design modification, size, colour, or additional features, ensures that our products seamlessly integrate or enhance any environment and meet local needs.

Q Who is your target audience and what is it you want them to be most aware of regarding your industry?

A GX Outdoors targets local governments, landscape architects and landscape construction companies that are involved in designing and building parks and open spaces nationally throughout Australia.

Offering much more than just barbecues, GX Outdoors offers complete public space solutions for any project. From park shelters to electric barbecues and a broad range of park furniture, GX Outdoors has the capacity to fulfil a comprehensive project brief with a range of complementary products that aid clients to meet budget and timeline requirements.

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MARTIN ROWLAND

For three decades, Martin Rowland has been deeply engaged in the public space sector through GX Outdoors. During this extensive period, invaluable partnerships have been forged with a wide array of organisations and industry experts.

Martin’s unwavering passion revolves around enhancing the lives of people through the creation of innovative, customisable Australian-made products. These offerings inject purpose into public spaces, nurturing physical activity, wellness, social connections, ecological responsibility, and overall community wellbeing.