UPDATED LEGISLATION TO REFLECT NEW QLD WINE INDUSTRY

The Beattie Government will deliver streamlined licensing procedures to reflect the unprecedented growth of Queensland’s wine industry, Tourism and Wine Industry Development Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech said updated licensing arrangements would reduce administrative burdens on Queensland’s wine producers and preserve their status during times of hardship.

“Queensland’s worst drought on record is a stark reminder that our primary producers operate in a tough and unpredictable environment and can be faced with unavoidable times of hardship.

“Under the new arrangements, wine producers and merchants would be able to maintain their licence status if affected by unexpected events such as drought, storm or fire.

“Currently, the Wine Industry Act 1994 requires them to re-apply, creating unnecessary administrative burdens and red tape during these difficult times.”

Mrs Keech said the massive growth of Queensland’s wine industry had produced the need to update the Act to ensure it continued to achieve its purpose.

“Queensland is the only state in Australia to have specific legislation dedicated to the development of its wine industry,” Mrs Keech said.

“This legislation has helped facilitate extraordinary growth in Queensland’s wine sector and we are faced with a very different industry to what existed when the Act was first developed.

“Ten years ago there were less than 40 wine producers in Queensland and today we have almost 180.

“Our grape crush has gone from 500 tonnes in 2000 to more than 5000 tonnes in 2004/05.

“This growth has uncovered a number of ways we as a Government can update this legislation to remove administrative burdens and cut red tape for our wine producers, and Cabinet made a commitment today to deliver.

“This is in-line with Premier Peter Beattie’s promise to Queensland’s wine industry to support its growth and assist it to become a viable and sustainable Smart State industry.

“These amendments will deliver up-to-date, streamlined and more effective processes for our wine producers and allow them to focus on their core business of producing quality Queensland wines,” she said.

Amendments include:

• Simplified licensing procedures to reduce applicant costs and minimise the time taken to obtain a wine industry license.
• Streamlining wine producer licensing procedures to allow wine merchants to more conveniently transfer into this licence category.
• Allow a wine producer to preserve its licence during times of genuine hardship.
• Restricting Queensland’s unique satellite cellar doors to selling Queensland wine only.

Media contact: Joanna Whitaker 3225 1005