Vinehealth Australia has released a series of fact sheets examining phylloxera spread in the Yarra Valley’s Maroondah Phylloxera Infested Zone (PIZ) which include key learnings for your region.
The first fact sheet, ‘What happened’, details the initial outbreak, establishment of the Maroondah PIZ and subsequent outbreaks and boundary extensions.
Phylloxera was first found in the Yarra Valley in 2006. At the time, there was no register of growers or vineyards, no knowledge of rootstock plantings, unrestricted movement of machinery, staff and contractors, and no tracking of visitors.
A Phylloxera Infested Zone (PIZ) was established by Agriculture Victoria around the initial outbreak. The boundary was extended beyond 5km to account for bordering vineyards.
The infected vineyard was poisoned, and the vines were grubbed to prevent further spread. The owner also implemented biosecurity measures in accordance with Agriculture Victoria legislation requirements for movement outside of a PIZ, including constructing a heat room to sterilise vineyard equipment, and duplicated labour and machinery to prevent spread to other vineyards.
The Maroondah Phylloxera Infested Zone (PIZ) was officially gazetted on 1 March 2007. There have been eight boundary extensions due to phylloxera spread since the initial 2006 declaration, with the latest in 2023.
Click here to download the ‘Learnings from the Yarra Valley’s Maroondah Phylloxera Infested Zone: What Happened’ fact sheet.
This fact sheet is part of a series to share key learnings from the Yarra Valley’s phylloxera outbreak experience.
Six fact sheets were developed by Vinehealth Australia for vineyard owners in South Australia and other phylloxera-free states and regions.
We sincerely thank Wine Yarra Valley, vineyard owners in the Yarra Valley, and Agriculture Victoria for their valuable input into this fact sheet series.
View the series here.