Environmental Management Systems in the Yarra Valley a Case Study on Integration with Quality Assurance and Integrated Catchment Management
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Environmental Management Systems in the Yarra Valley a case study on integration with quality assurance and integrated catchment management A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Jane Fisher, Edited by Alison Medhurst February 2005 RIRDC Publication No 05/028 RIRDC Project No DAV-186A © 2005 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 127 5 ISSN 1440-6845 Environmental Management Systems in the Yarra Valley – a case study on integration with quality assurance and integrated catchment management Publication No. 05/028 Project No. DAV-186A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable industries. The information should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Specialist and/or appropriate legal advice should be obtained before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this document. The Commonwealth of Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the authors or contributors do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person's use or reliance upon the content of this document. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Alison Medhurst Department of Primary Industries Jane Fisher Private Bag 15 CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems Ferntree Gully Delivery Centre PO Box 102 Vic 3156 Toowoomba Qld 4350 Phone: 03 9210 9246 Fax: 03 9800 3521 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4819 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in February 2005 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword The objective of this project was to develop and test a regional environmental management system (EMS) model for the Yarra Valley region in Victoria. The project aimed to develop a prototype or model for linking farm QA & BMP’s to a regional EMS using consultative and negotiated methods. A number of factors made the Yarra Valley an ideal place to pilot the concept of a regional EMS. These include conflict on the urban rural fringe about traditional production methods and concerns about contributions to the level of pollution in the Yarra River and ultimately Port Phillip Bay. A regional EMS is seen as an important tool for growers to demonstrate to consumers that food grown in the Yarra Valley is produced in an environmentally responsible manner. This publication records the processes involved in developing the Yarra Valley Regional EMS. Participatory processes were used throughout the project to engage with stakeholders in identifying environmental issues and developing the tools to enable industry to adopt the regional EMS. This approach resulted in a high level of ownership and advocacy for the project by the participants. The primary outputs of the project were the production of Regional Environmental Best Management Practices for Viticulture in the Yarra Valley and a Self-Assessment Questionnaire. As a result of this project and the ownership and support of the Yarra Valley wine grape growers two grower-sourced funding opportunities (a GWRDC Regional Innovation and Technology Adoption grant and a Greater Victorian Wine Industry Development Committee grant) have been obtained to continue the implementation phase of the Yarra Valley EMS in viticulture. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds which are provided by the Australian Government. Co-investment was provided by the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria through its Naturally Victorian initiative. This report, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1200 research publications, forms part of our Environment and Farm Management R&D program, which aims to support innovation in agriculture and the use of frontier technology to meet market demands for accredited sustainable production. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Tony Byrne Acting Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments Information and assistance was sought from Daryl Joyce (DPI), Anne-Maree Boland (DPI), Anne Dennis (DSE), Robyn Male (Evelyn County Estate), Jim White (North Ridge Estate), Damien de Castella (Yarra Ridge Vineyard), Chris Keyes (Fergusson Winery), Gavan Oakley (Acacia Ridge), Chris Messerle (Yarra Glen Vineyards), Ryan Johnstone (Warramate), John Poulton (Fergusson Winery), Hugh Hull (Yarra Ridge), Philip Lobley (De Bortoli), John Evans (Yering Station), Anthony Brain (Shantell Vineyard), Ian Cook (NMIT), Maris Feldgen (Emporers Prize), Alan Smith (Lirralirra Estate), Mike Brocksopp (TarraWarra Estate) , Ray Guerin (BRL Hardy), Linda Gibson (Landmark). Reference Committee: Kym Mallamaci (DSE); Alan Crouch (DSE), Donna Burns (DSE), Jason Alexandra (Alexandra & Assoc.), Anne Langworthy (Swinburne University of Technology), Suzanna Finger (EPA), Damien de Castella (Beringer Blass), Terri Burgi, Peter Rankin (Melbourne Water), Anne Dennis (DSE), Ian Ada (Shire of Yarra Ranges). Assistance in developing the Regional Environmental Position Statement: Sam Violi (CAB) and Johnathon Jenkins (Strawberry Industry), Trish Moore and Gerald Brinson (Flower Industry), John Osmelak (Flowers Victoria), Graham McGregor, Karen Meuwissen and Lorraine Chapman (Rubus Industry), Damien de Castella and Chris Messerle (Wine Grape Industry), Jim Sawyer (Dairy Industry), Richelle Bunbury (Vegetable Growers Association), Kevin Saunders (Apple Industry), Ian Ada (Shire of Yarra Ranges, Centre for Agribusiness), Leo Koelewyn (Nursery Industry). YV Fruits and Charlotte Brunt for allowing the YV Fruits Manual to be used as source material for the Best Management Practices. The Centre for Agribusiness for their support of the project The GVWIDC, particularly the executive officer Spencer Field, for recognition of the need to demonstrate sound environmental best practice, and financial support for training Abbreviations AFFA – Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries Australia BMP – Best Management Practices CRCV – Cooperative Research Centre for Viticulture DPI – Department of Primary Industries – previously DNRE – Department of Natural Resources and Environment DSE – Department of Sustainability and Environment – previously DNRE – Department of Natural Resources and Environment EMS – Environmental Management System GVWIDC – Greater Victorian Wine Industry Development Committee PPWPCMA – Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority QA – Quality Assurance SAQ – Self- Assessment Questionnaire VERA – Viticare Environmental Risk Assessment YVWGA – Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association iv Contents Foreword ................................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgments.................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................................... iv Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................... vi Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1 What is an EMS?................................................................................................................................. 1 What is a Regional EMS? ................................................................................................................... 1 Why a Regional EMS in the Yarra Valley? ........................................................................................ 2 Objectives................................................................................................................................................ 4 Developing an approach to a regional EMS............................................................................................ 5 Which EMS System to Use? ............................................................................................................... 5 Stakeholder Engagement..................................................................................................................... 6 Who are the stakeholders?............................................................................................................... 6 Stakeholder engagement - Government .......................................................................................... 6 Stakeholder engagement - Industry and Regional bodies ............................................................... 7 Stakeholder engagement - Regional Interests ................................................................................