Frost Damage

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:36): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development a question about recent frost events.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The recent frosts have caused unprecedented damage to vineyards, orchards and other crops across the state. Early estimates suggest that the Barossa, Clare Valley and Riverland wine regions may have lost anywhere from 15 per cent to 50 per cent of the predicted wine grape harvest due to the recent frost events. For grapegrowers this is particularly cruel, given the ongoing lack of profit due to the global oversupply of red wine grapes, and now many vineyards with white grape varieties that are generating some income have been decimated by frost.

The full extent of the impact on the broadacre citrus and almond industries will not be clear for a few weeks, but there is likely to be a lasting impact on trees that are in vulnerable flowering and nut and fruit development stages with the severity of the frosts that have occurred. Reports in the Stock Journal suggest that many farmers hit by frosts are abandoning their grain crops and cutting for hay or just hoping to get their seed back. My questions to the minister are:

1. What measures is the minister taking to assess the extent of this impact and to gauge the economic fallout from the recent frosts that have impacted the agricultural sector?

2. Is the minister planning to travel to the affected regions to see the damage firsthand and to provide assurance to the farmers and growers and plan assistance measures?

3. Has the minister requested the Premier to travel to the affected regions to see the damage firsthand?

4. Is the government treating this event with the natural disaster response that it deserves?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for her question. In the first half of September two severe frost events occurred across South Australia, each with consecutive days with minimum temperatures below zero. Nearly every region of the state has been affected in some way by the frosts, with the extent and intensity of impacts variable in each area and across sectors.

The exact impacts are not yet able to be quantified by industry, as I am advised the full extent of damage will not show for some weeks. PIRSA is working closely with industry groups to monitor the emerging impacts. Anecdotally, I am advised that the most significant impacts have been reported in the Barossa Valley, Riverland, Mid North and Eyre Peninsula.

These frosts came at a crucial growing period for grapes and grains, and will exacerbate the production losses already being experienced as a result of dry seasonal conditions. Grapes have been most severely impacted in the Riverland, Barossa and Eden Valley, where vines had early bud burst. In some cases, even the operation of frost fans and sprinkler systems, I am advised, did not protect vines from damage, and clearly those without those measures had in some cases more significant damage.

In some areas, the vines will undergo a secondary growth and produce higher quality grapes, albeit lower volume. Grains and legumes have been most severely impacted in the Mallee, Upper South-East and Mid North where crops were already stressed or were flowering. Some crops will be able to be salvaged for livestock feed but will likely be of a lower quality. I am advised that no significant damage to other horticultural crops has been reported at this time but of course they could potentially emerge in coming weeks.

PIRSA is working with industry groups who are supporting affected growers through the provision of clear, practical advice to best allow them to mitigate the worst impacts and try to achieve the best possible outcome for the season ahead. Assistance is also available through the PIRSA Family and Business support program that includes FaB mentors and rural financial counselling. Additional initiatives are being considered in partnership with industry bodies and community groups, including local wellbeing and mental health support activities.

I noticed some comments that were made by the chair of the Wine Grape Council of South Australia and quoted in some local media in the Barossa where it was stated that 'there is still a long way to go to be able to assess the vines'. A couple of weeks after the full moon in October is when he would normally make assessments such that would enable him to start talking about potential yields or estimates for wineries. I think that really does cut to the very pertinent point of how difficult it is to make estimates of losses and that is why the department will continue to work closely with industry bodies.