SA UNVEILS $109 MILLION WINE SUPPORT PACKAGE

The South Australian Government has announced a $109 million package to support the state’s wine sector through global oversupply, declining grape prices and changing consumer demand.

The package includes $100 million in government-backed loans to help growers transition unviable vineyards to other land uses, with eligible growers able to access up to $500,000.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says the scale of the crisis required a carefully considered response.

“We're ultimately talking about an oversupply, which is different to a natural disaster, so it's got to be thought through very carefully how we calibrate this response,” Mr Malinauskas said.

The package also includes five million dollars to extend the Global Wine Growth Program, along with funding for vineyard diversification, surplus wine inventories and the disposal of treated timber posts.

A new Wine Industry Coordinator will also work with growers, government and regional stakeholders through the transition.