Suggestions tabled at this week’s Riverland Wine industry meeting will now be examined further, as pressure mounts on the local industry.
Riverland Wine Executive Officer Lyndall Rowe said growers were increasingly frustrated with the low prices being offered for their grapes, among the many other challenges they have faced in recent years.
“Our growers need immediate crisis support, and we will be putting their suggestions to our local councils, the State Government and the Federal Government, and we are hoping our industry partners will support our calls to help save the nation’s largest grape growing region,” Ms Rowe said.
Some suggestions raised by the crowd of over 175 grape growers included calling for councils to provide rate relief for growers, together with greater controls on new plantings.
Riverland wine will now seek further feedback prior to taking the suggestions to all three tiers of government.