Vinehealth Australia is pleased to present our 2023-24 Annual Report, which has recently been tabled in Parliament, and our 2023-24 Performance at a glance summary.
The small team at Vinehealth Australia continues to work hard to deliver critical biosecurity services and resources to the South Australian grape and wine industry, to keep our vineyards safe.
Vinehealth Australia’s key achievements in 2023-24 included:
- A comprehensive review of South Australia’s Phylloxera Preparedness Plan and identification of prioritised activities to complete, including regional visits to test the plan with industry.
- Leading a large-scale targeted surveillance plan of 2,755 vines across the state for Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) with South Australia’s propagation sector. Results determined virus incidence in the state and nationally, informing eradication potential and opportunities to maintain at-border testing to prevent further introductions into Australia via infected planting material.
- Continued education of vineyard owners and broader industry in biosecurity through a range of communications methods, including our monthly e-newsletter that continues to exceed industry open rates, our website, Biosecurity Alerts, Industry Notices, fact sheets, tips series, featured articles and maps. Topics included visitor management, abandoned/neglected vineyards, machinery auctions, phylloxera, crown gall, hitchhiker pests, vehicles, footwear, contractor management, fruit fly, and tourism.
- Significant support to PIRSA in response to 18 plant pest biosecurity incidents.
- Responses to 232 service enquiry requests by the grape and wine industry and government, particularly on quarantine matters and supply of aggregated and deidentified data from the Register.
- Maintenance of Vinehealth’s key asset – South Australia’s unique Vineyard Register. Accuracy of this information was enabled through updates provided by vineyard owners through the annual vineyard record return process, validation of vineyard owners’ requests for changes to their records through review of aerial imagery and onsite visits, and continued involvement in the conveyancing process during land sales.
The Register continues to demonstrate its value for all preparedness, prevention, and response activities. It was used to provide aggregated and deidentified statistics to state government departments, national, state and regional wine industry associations, research organisations, individual vineyard owners and industry participants on request.
Looking forward, key Focus Areas for 2024-2006 have been identified by the Board. Importantly for industry, this includes progressing the new Phylloxera Response Plan and testing in-region through preparedness exercises, and further work towards transforming our South Australian Vineyard Register.
Click here to read Vinehealth Australia’s 2023-24 Annual Report.
Click here to read Vinehealth Australia’s 2023-24 Performance at a glance.