The Vinehealth Australia Vineyard Register is a key asset and biosecurity tool, which enables swift response activities. If phylloxera were to breach South Australia’s borders, rapid response protocols must be ready to deploy within hours, not days – so an up-to-date register is essential.
Vinehealth Australia also issues Levy invoices based on the information recorded it the Register, and if we are not told of changes the Notice of Assessment invoice may be incorrect. The Notice of Assessment will typically stand as issued, as it is the vineyard owners’ responsibility to ensure accurate planting records are maintained.
The Phylloxera and Grape Industry Act 1995 (Act) requires Vinehealth Australia to maintain a vineyard register (Part 3, 19). The levy is collected on all vineyards of 0.5 hectares or more (Part 3, 19 (1)).
The Act requires vineyard owners to notify Vinehealth Australia of any changes to plantings within three months of the change occurring (Part 3, 21). These changes can be the removal of existing plantings, the addition of new plantings, or the sale or transfer of property.
We often receive requests to change a Notice of Assessment to correct pro-rata levy calculations for when vineyards are sold and transferred. The vendor is charged for the period from 1 May to the date of transfer as a pro-rata on both the base fee and the variable fee. The purchaser is charged for the balance of the pro-rata variable fee at the time of purchase and the base fee on 30 April.
The vineyard planting details are required to be accurate at the time of sale, as the new landowner will not be familiar with planting details, nor will they have access to planting records.
Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility and helping us maintain an up-to-date Vineyard Register is one of the easiest and most effective ways for you to do your part. Keeping your vines safe is our top priority.