Preparing primary industries for the impacts of compounding and complex disasters
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WGCSA has recently participated in a pilot project with Primary Producers SA (PPSA) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) which will help industry and government to be better prepared for the impact of a catastrophic bushfire and its associated effects in the Adelaide Hills.
Preparing primary industries for the impacts of compounding and complex natural disasters saw PPSA and PIRSA work with WGCSA to engage with wine grape growers and key stakeholders in the Adelaide Hills to explore the risks of compounding and complex disasters on people, production, profitability and supply chains. The project recognises that primary producers are on the frontline of climate change, facing an increasing number of natural disasters every year which are becoming increasingly severe. In the Adelaide Hills wine region, the devastating bushfires of 2019-20 exposed several vulnerabilities and revealed opportunities for improved preparedness to mitigate the potential impacts of future incidents. The Adelaide Hills wine grape growing region is located 300 metres above sea level and is characterised by an often steeply sloping landscape, with vineyards set amongst aesthetically and environmentally significant vegetation.
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Two industry workshops were held which explored the following scenario:
You are standing in your vineyard on 12 January 2027. South Australia is into its eighth day of a forecast 11-day heatwave where the temperature has been over 45 degrees Celsius. There is a strong north-westerly blowing, the Country Fire Service has declared this as the third catastrophic fire danger day in a row and SA Power Networks has flagged that power is likely to be cut at any time. The vines show significant signs of stress and you are running out of water. You can see smoke on the horizon and the smell of fire is in the air. There is a strong possibility of a major fire over the hill.
You are standing in your vineyard on 12 January 2027. South Australia is into its eighth day of a forecast 11-day heatwave where the temperature has been over 45 degrees Celsius. There is a strong north-westerly blowing, the Country Fire Service has declared this as the third catastrophic fire danger day in a row and SA Power Networks has flagged that power is likely to be cut at any time. The vines show significant signs of stress and you are running out of water. You can see smoke on the horizon and the smell of fire is in the air. There is a strong possibility of a major fire over the hill.
The end result is an industry report which uses the above scenario to detail key vulnerabilities of the wine grape industry in the Adelaide Hills, the priority areas of impact, the high priority controls and industry-led actions that can be implemented to help reduce the risk and impact of a compounding and complex disaster such as the scenario.
Actions for the industry to improve identified gaps and vulnerabilities can come from a range of strategies, including:
This process serves as a foundational step for the industry and other responsible stakeholders to collaboratively address preparedness, fostering a proactive approach to building resilience and mitigating disaster risks.
Actions for the industry to improve identified gaps and vulnerabilities can come from a range of strategies, including:
- Education and awareness
Equipping growers with tools and knowledge to manage disaster risks effectively. Promoting best practices for vineyard risk mitigation and conducting campaigns to raise awareness about disaster preparedness within the industry and broader community. - Advocacy and policy influence
Advocating for enhanced government investment in disaster risk and collaborating with policy makers to integrate disaster risk reduction into broader agricultural and regional strategies ensuring sector-specific needs are addressed. - Collaboration and partnerships
Strengthening relationships with external stakeholders, including government agencies and non-profits, to address vulnerabilities across the supply chain. Facilitate data sharing and coordinated disaster response strategies across all levels of industry. - On-vineyard management
Prioritising disaster-aware planning, encouraging investment in protective infrastructure and promoting the use of innovative technologies. - Innovation and research
Supporting research into climate-resilient viticulture practices and grape varieties. Developing systems for analysing and responding to disaster impacts, enabling adaptive management strategies that ensure long-term sustainability and productivity of wine-growing regions.
This process serves as a foundational step for the industry and other responsible stakeholders to collaboratively address preparedness, fostering a proactive approach to building resilience and mitigating disaster risks.
- Read the final report for the Adelaide Hills wine grape industry: https://ppsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Wine-Grapes-PPI-report.pdf
- Watch a video with Lachlan Allen: https://youtu.be/brOClULH4M4
- Read a case study with Lachlan Allen: https://ppsa.org.au/projects/#PPI
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This project was funded under the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program, funded by the Australian Government and the South Australian Government.