Proposed waste dump could threaten grape vines

Proposed waste dump could threaten grape vines (Tom Coull)

One of Australia's most important grape development institutions in South Australia's Riverland says its future is being threatened by a proposed waste dump.

The Riverland vine improvement committee produces 65 per cent of all the vine cuttings provided by vine improvement centres across Australia.

Chairman of the committee Lindsay Dowley says a proposal to set up a regional waste facility on its boundary will put it under threat from diseases and vermin.

"It would have a catastrophic impact if phylloxera got here," he said.

"90 to 96 per cent of the vines in the area would have to be replanted."

"I don't know how many thousands of square miles there is in the council area, but putting it on the edge of a food producing area, it's the wrong place."

Chairperson of the Riverland Regional waste committee Jodie Flavel says the committee is considering the environmental impacts of the site and will be consulting with the community shortly on the dump.