The Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) have confirmed that, since December 2015, nine new detections of phylloxera within the existing Maroondah Phylloxera Infested Zone (PIZ) have been confirmed. The DEDJTR is the lead agency managing the response to these new detections.

Despite the new detections being within the original Maroondah PIZ established in 2006, the boundaries have been adjusted to maintain a 5 kilometre buffer, as required by the National Phylloxera Management Protocols. The small expansions of the Maroondah PIZ boundary to the north-west and south-east are shown in purple on the attached map. The new boundary was gazetted on 14 April 2016 and Vinehealth Australia has subsequently updated the Australian phylloxera management zone maps which it maintains (vinehealth.com.au/resources/interactive-maps/).

All state regulators have been advised by DEDJTR of changes to the Maroondah PIZ boundary to ensure continued compliance with, and enforcement of, State plant quarantine regulations and standards.

The DEDJTR is working with the regional group Wine Yarra Valley and the Yarra Valley Phylloxera Management Working Group (YVPMWG), to develop a strategy to manage phylloxera in the Maroondah PIZ. Importantly, the focus is on compliance with strict quarantine standards regarding movement out of the PIZ, and implementation of biosecurity practices to mitigate the spread of phylloxera within the PIZ.

Vinehealth Australia is working collaboratively with DEDJTR and the regional groups to assist the development of this strategy and will continue to provide assistance as required.   Additionally, work continues by Vinehealth Australia in partnership with DEDJTR, NSW Department of Primary Industries, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Rho Environmetrics and The University of Adelaide, to develop methods for surveillance and early detection of phylloxera. This work, funded by the Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre and Wine Australia, will offer additional tools and information for the development of surveillance strategies for phylloxera in Australia.

Vinehealth Australia strongly encourages vineyard owners and managers and wineries in South Australia to always:

  1. Ensure vineyard hygiene practices (visitor log books, signage, footbaths) comply with the National Phylloxera Management Protocols (NPMP) and are integrated into daily operating procedures.
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  2. Ensure that any staff travelling to vineyards in the Yarra Valley or other phylloxera-infested areas, clean and change their outer clothing and footwear in accordance with the NPMP, and wash vehicles before leaving the infested area. These vehicles should remain on formed hard roadways and should not enter vineyards in a phylloxera-infested area.
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  3. Review links your business has to interstate vineyards, wineries or contractors/suppliers. Identify whether such links are in a Phylloxera Infested Zone (PIZ), Phylloxera Risk Zone (PRZ) or Phylloxera Exclusion Zone (PEZ), and take necessary action to ensure compliance at all times with the NPMP and the SA Plant Quarantine Standard regarding the movement into SA of:
    • grapevine material,
    • machinery and equipment,
    • grapes,
    • grape must and unfiltered juice,
    • grape marc, and
    • grapevine diagnostic samples and vineyard soils.
    [br]Interactive maps showing PEZ, PRZ and PIZs across Australia’s grapegrowing regions can be viewed at here.
  4. For any machinery coming onto your vineyard, check where it has come from. If from interstate, ascertain when, and ask to see the Plant Health Certificate or Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) documentation to ensure compliance with SA Plant Quarantine Standards regarding cleaning and sterilisation.
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  5. Use the Heat Shed at Naracoorte to sterilise machinery between regions in the Limestone Coast and into or out of the Limestone Coast zone.
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  6. Encourage vineyard staff to investigate and report vines that are showing symptoms of low vigour for which the cause is not clear.
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A copy of the NPMP and SA Plant Quarantine Standards can be found at vinehealth.com.au

Vinehealth Australia will continue to provide regular updates to South Australian vineyard owners and state and regional industry bodies as appropriate.

For further information please contact Inca Pearce, CEO Vinehealth Australia on 0418 818 543.