News and events

Annual grower meetings

The 2009 PGIBSA Annual Grower Meetings will be held in five regions around the state in the week beginning 10 August. The meetings will feature special presentations from two people at the forefront of the phylloxera fight: Dr Tony Jordan, President of the Yarra Valley Winegrowers' Association, who will give a first-hand account of the difficult process of responding to the recent phylloxera detections in the Yarra Valley; and Dr Kevin Powell, Australia's pre-eminent phylloxera researcher, who will present the latest research findings in areas of early detection, eradication and rootstock performance.

Everyone with an interest in the grapegrowing industry in South Australia is welcome and encouraged to attend. Download meeting invitation with dates and venues.

Yarra Valley phylloxera detections

Phylloxera was first detected in the Yarra Valley on December the 1st, 2006. During December 2008, further detections have been made. Because this is an evolving situation, the PGIBSA is providing regular updates to growers on our website. See below for updates.

18.2.09 DPI Victoria has finalised the boundaries for the Maroondah PIZ extension, with the inclusion of an additional sector on the northern boundary. See below to download updated map.

16.1.09 Latest update.

23.12.08 Original press release.

A Phylloxera Infested Zone called the Maroondah PIZ has been declared around the known infested sites, with the boundary set at a minimum of 5km from all known phylloxera affected properties. Download map of Maroondah PIZ (updated Feb 09).

Experience suggests that detections occur up to several years after the phylloxera infestation first occurred. Grapegrowers in other regions, especially those who have had regular contact with the Yarra Valley or have a high volume of tourist traffic in or near their vineyards, are advised to be extra vigilant in looking for signs of phylloxera in their vineyards. The PGIBSA has produced a brochure on Inspecting Vines for Phylloxera, which explains how to go about this. Download the brochure (590kb) or contact us and we will send you one or more copies.

If you have any questions or comments on the discovery of phylloxera in the Yarra Valley and its implications, or you would like image files of phylloxera or symptoms in grapevines, please contact us via this website or ring the Chief Executive, Alan Nankivell, on 0428 260 430.