A BAROSSA-based project has received a significant financial boost, as part of a State Government grants program aimed at boosting investment.

Yalumba Family Winemakers has received over $1 million for an innovative project, valued at $2,130,500, to help future-proof South Australia’s wine industry.

Chief Viticulturist Robin Nettelbeck said Yalumba Family Winemakers would establish an extensive and intensively managed high health grapevine germplasm collection, quarantined nuclear collection and a large-scale grapevine production field nursery.

“This project will establish the highest health and most genetically diverse commercial collection of grapevine material in Australia, while establishing the most hygienic and productive field nursery site to propagate best performing vines for the Australian viticultural industry,” said Mr Nettelbeck.

“Australia and in particular South Australia has some of the oldest vines in the world and during last summer’s bushfires it was devastating to see how quickly some of these were destroyed.

“Our project can effectively act as a seed bank and contribute to the future proofing of the $45 billion Australian wine industry and provide valuable support to the growing domestic table grape industry.”

The project, which will create 25 jobs, was one of 16 projects to benefit under the latest round of the Regional Growth Fund, valued at $12 million.

Virginia’s T Musolino & Co has received $515,000 towards a new climate-controlled food processing facility, valued at $1,515,345.

Primary industries and regional development minister David Basham announced the successful projects at Yalumba Nursery on Sunday, and said the stimulus funding will help South Australia’s economy bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.

“2020 has been a tough year for South Australians and our regions have been hit particularly hard firstly with drought, then bushfires and now the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“This $12 million from the Regional Growth Fund will unlock nearly $70 million of investment in South Australia’s economy – creating more than 1000 jobs across the state.

“Our regions are a key driver for the South Australian economy and this will provide a much-needed shot in the arm to help business bounce back as quickly as possible.

“We had more than 200 applications for the Strategic Business Round and the successful projects are shovel-ready and will have lasting, widespread benefits for South Australia’s regions.

Applicants to the Regional Growth Fund were eligible to seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million, with projects given preference if they can demonstrate a greater private-to-government funding ratio and demonstrable strong economic outcomes.

The applications were assessed by an independently chaired panel, with further applicants from the stimulus round being considered from the Strategic Business Round.