It was great to see the Government launch ‘Investment Boost’ an initiative to help stimulate business growth. And who better to benefit than our customer base of hardworking growers. Suddenly that piece of nursery automation, or a commercial greenhouse feels more realistic.
How does the scheme work? In a nutshell, businesses investing in new tools, machinery, or equipment can now write off 20% of the cost against their taxable income in the year of purchase. That means it’s more affordable to invest in machinery or greenhouse solutions to scale up your operation (and your bottom line).
So what does it look like in practice?
Let’s look at a couple of examples (note: the pricing we have used in these examples is just a guide, please reach out to our team for a detailed quote, tailored to your goals).
Example 1: Fully Automated Dibbling Line
- Including Tray Filler, Dibbling Machine and accessories: approx. investment $105,000
- Under the Investment Boost, a grower can claim $21,000 as a tax-deductible expense in the year of purchase.
- The remaining $84,000 of the asset’s cost is still eligible for standard depreciation, giving you continued tax benefits over time.
What are the main benefits of the Automated Dibbling Line?
- Faster production – e.g. this set up allows for planting 25K+ plants/day (6-person team).
- Consistent depth & spacing – Better germination, stronger and healthier plants.
- Less labour costs – Free up staff for higher-value tasks. The machine can adapt to various staff levels.
- Lower waste – More saleable plants.
- Quiet operation – For a more enjoyable workplace.
Example 2: 6 x 15m Propagation Greenhouse, including accessories such as rolling benches.
- High-quality 6 x 15m greenhouse and accessories, including 16 rolling propagation tables. Ideal for seed and cutting production: approx. investment $130,000
- Under the Investment Boost, a grower can claim $26,000 as a tax-deductible expense in the year of purchase.
- The remaining $104,000 of the asset’s cost is still eligible for standard depreciation, giving you continued tax benefits over time.
Key benefits of this protected cropping asset:
- Generous workspace: providing 90m² of growing space.
- Two growing zones: separated by an internal wall with sliding doors, highly flexible for intensive horticulture.
- Durable 8mm twin-wall polycarbonate for superior insulation and lifespan.
- Efficient ventilation, with four manual or automatic roll-up side vents (two per side).
- Excellent crop protection with anti-insect and bird netting on vents
- Ample capacity, accommodates up to 16 propagation tables (8 tables per zone).
Smarter growing just got a boost!
Investment Boost will provide immediate financial relief while supporting long-term asset management. It’s a welcome bonus for growers looking at investing in the right tools to grow smarter.
We have just returned from the annual Mystery Creek Fieldays and it was heartening to hear strong interest from growers and farmers who see this scheme as a tangible way to ‘press go’ on some of the projects they’ve been considering. The rain didn’t dampen that classic Fieldays spirit, and we look forward to following up with everyone who visited our stand.
Ready to invest?
While we can see no fishhooks with this new scheme, it’s always good advice to review the finer details carefully and consult your accountant to confirm how it best applies to your business. You can also check the information on the Inland Revenue website.
When you are ready, the team at PrimeHort would be delighted to partner with you on bringing your next automation or greenhouse project to life – with everything tailored to your needs, timing and budget.
Let’s chat through your goals today.
