Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
State government politicians have been invited to witness ongoing impacts of frost and industry challenges on the Riverland wine industry, following the announcement of a support program that has left senior local MPs “frustrated”.
The State Government last week announced the establishment of a $2.5m SA Wine Recovery Program.
However, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said direct state government consultation with Riverland growers impacted by recent frost, and other industry challenges, had been lacking.
“I’m really disappointed to think we’ve got a billion-dollar industry on its knees, and we have a $2.5m reannouncement of programs,” Mr Whetstone said.
“My invitation still stands to both the Premier (Peter Malinauskas), and to (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven), to come up and have a look first hand at the dire situation the industry is facing at the minute.
“The premium end is seeing significant re-engagement (with China), but the engine room of the wine industry is still on its knees, and we’re seeing little benefit from the South Australia (and) China wine relationship.
“The government clearly needs to better understand the current set of circumstances here in the Riverland, and come here and visit. (They) should put a diary entry in to come over and show they really do have a concern for the engine room of the wine industry nationally.”
Mr Whetstone said planned initiatives such as satellite mapping would no longer be effective in assessing damage to vineyards from frost.
“I’m really frustrated with the level of gratuity,” he said.
“Satellite mapping has been and gone. We’ve seen the damage, and that the vineyards are green again.
“The visual evidence of the frost has been and gone”¦ the Riverland wine sector (already) had the satellite imagery, and yet the government are going to go out (with) a mapping program to assess the levels of damage. They’ve missed the boat.
“There’s lots of green, and vegetative growth, but no fruit. Fruit equals income, and income equals paying the bills.”
It is understood SA Wine Recovery Program streams will include vineyard waste management, building domestic demand and regional grape and wine capability, with the details of each to be developed with further input from the South Australian Wine Industry Association and Wine Grape Council of South Australia.
The funding announcement also coincided with the release of a Viticulture and Wine Sector Working Group report, aimed to “help governments and industry work together to reach long-term sustainability through new initiatives to assist growers and producers”.
Barker MP Tony Pasin said grape growers required further detail regarding details of support programs.
“The latest announcement joins a list of woefully inadequate announcements doing nothing more than paying lip service to an issue that is crippling Riverland wine grape growers,” Mr Pasin said.
“While no detail has been provided on how or indeed when this funding is intended to flow, $2.5m won’t touch the sides for a region affected by one of the most significant market adjustments the wine industry has seen globally.
“The Premier and his Agriculture Minister must stop avoiding the Riverland and start taking their responsibilities seriously.
“We need a state government that governs for more than just metropolitan Adelaide. There is more to leadership than organising car races, footy festivals, golf tournaments and pop concerts.”
However, Ms Scriven said the funding would “further assist in addressing some of the key issues in South Australia raised through the national Viticulture and Wine Sector Working Group that I initiated earlier in the year”.
“The Malinauskas Government is committed to supporting our $1.93 billion wine and grape sector which has undergone significant challenges in recent years,” Ms Scriven said.
Federal Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins said the announcement was an “important part of responding to the Viticulture and Wine Working group”.
“Together, initiatives and recommendations outlined in the report will help support and strengthen our sector,” Ms Collins said.
The Viticulture and Wine Sector Working Group report can be viewed by visiting the website (www.agriculture.gov.au/about/news/stay-informed/communiques/viticulturewine-sector-workinggroup-october-2024).
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 6 November 2024.
