On Thursday 15 April, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSWWIA) and the NSW Government was signed in the birthplace of the Australian wine industry, the Hunter Valley, marking a very significant and positive moment for the NSW Wine Industry.
Under this new MoU, and in partnership with industry, the NSW Government will undertake to focus on the areas of trade, export market development, regional wine tourism, research, development, extension and biosecurity. It represents an additional investment by the NSW Government of $600k per year for the next 2 years, totaling a $1.2m package of agreed support programs.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Mark Bourne, President of the NSWWIA, and the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade Mr John Barilaro, and witnessed by NSW Wine Executive Officer Mr Angus Barnes and NSW Treasurer Mr Dominic Perrottet.
Mark Bourne commented, “This is very welcome news in what has been a challenging few years for the NSW wine industry, with drought, bushfires, smoke, Covid-19, floods and the recent China export tariffs the wine industry has been dealt some serious blows. Our gratitude goes out to the Deputy Premier and his team involved in putting this significant platform of support together, to enable the recovery and continued growth of the NSW wine industry and the regional communities we live and work in.”
Mr Bourne added “The NSW Wine Industry is a diverse industry that covers everything from the planting and growing of wine grapes, winemaking, wholesaling, exporting, retailing and also plays a leading role in regional tourism across NSW. This MoU will provide a solid framework for the recovery and continued growth of the wine industry in NSW, which employs 53,000 people across regional NSW.”
Deputy Premier Barilaro says, “Our wine industry is invaluable to NSW, contributing $1.6 billion each year to the NSW economy and playing a major role in our $38 billion tourism sector, attracting countless tourists and visitors to wine regions such as the Hunter Valley. The wine industry is also a significant employer here in NSW so it is important that we protect valuable jobs now, while they are needed most.
The NSW Government knows that our state produces some of the finest wine in the world. This agreement will see industry and government working closely together to identify initiatives to help grow the success of our products and our industry. We know drought, bushfires and floods have hurt the viticulture industry which is why the NSW Government is committed to supporting the sector so we can share our wine with the world and continue to enjoy it at home.”
The ongoing existing investment in the NSW Wine Industry by the NSW Government of over $1.5m per year was also included in the new MoU and covers other measures such as:
- Ongoing support from NSW DPI in the form of 3 dedicated development officers for the Viticulture Industry and a Skills Development Program.
- Ongoing work with Destination NSW on areas such as the Food & Wine Tourism Action Strategy Plan 2018- 2022 and the Export and Regional Wine Support Program (ERWSP).
- The AgSkilled 2.0 training programs with the NSW department of education and training.
The MoU will be effective immediately and will last for 2 years, until June 2023. Both the NSW Wine Industry Association and the NSW Government are committed to action the new MoU and to continue to create opportunities that will contribute to a strong, profitable and sustainable wine industry.
