WGCSA Election Policy: A 10 Point Plan for the Wine Industry

​The Wine Grape Council of SA being the peak industry body for Wine Grape Growers in South Australia, calls on candidates and parties vying for seats and government in the South Australian state election to acknowledge and support the importance of primary production, particularly the wine industry to South Australia.

We call on candidates to commit to driving the wine industry forward by:

1. Efficient and diligent implementation of the legislation and regulations already in place to protect our clean and green marketing position by implementing strong biosecurity measures without cost shifting to industry, and assisting better management of spray drift including legal measures to prosecute chemical trespass;

2. Improving infrastructure in regional areas, particularly power, transport; and improved telecommunications in terms of SPEED, Reliability and coverage in regional areas;

3. Improving communication and the management of levies paid by producers to reduce management costs and cut duplication and red tape;

4. Investing in RD & E by NO further cuts to Primary Industries budgets with a focus on developing, retaining and transferring expertise in SA;

5. Reducing red tape and punitive costs of regulation (like the contractor registration scheme) which act as a disincentive to employment in regional areas.

And to support the Wine Industry and other Primary producers by:

6. Returning control of NRM levies to the regions to DELIVER identified programs at a local level not produce more plans which are only implemented in glossy brochures;

7. Valuing the contribution which regional communities make to the provision of emergency services through volunteer services and price that into the Emergency Service Levies;

8. Delivering water security and equitable pricing to underpin production;

9. Ensuring wine and primary production regions are not impacted adversely by incompatible land use including mining

10. Support the health and education of regional South Australians by addressing drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and employment opportunities and training.

The South Australian wine industry is fundamental not just to the economy of this state and the nation but to employment, regional industry and to the social and environmental welfare of this state. 

Heather Webster
Chair
Wine Grape Council South Australia
8th March 2018

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