Finding solutions for stockpiled vineyard posts

Practical and safe ways to re-use growing stockpiles of vineyard posts are being explored through a new pilot project launched as part of the South Australian Wine Recovery Program.

Delivered by one of Australia’s leading vineyard management companies − Food and Beverage Australia Limited (FABAL) − the project aims to find safe and sustainable solutions for stockpiled CCA treated posts.

It is estimated that there are around 89 million posts in vineyards across the country, with about half located in South Australia.

Timber trellis posts are treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), a timber preservative to protect against fungal and insect pests. CCA can release toxic arsenic gas and ash when burned, making disposal difficult and subject to strict environmental regulations. As a result, broken posts and posts from removed vineyards are often stockpiled on properties.

Three vineyards across South Australia will participate in the pilot and explore ways to re-use the posts for agriculture fencing, the logistics of moving them from vineyards to processing sites, and regulatory and safety considerations for handling and cutting the timber. The study will also assess regional demand and economic viability for re-use.

The project builds on the success of a similar initiative in New Zealand, which has successfully turned broken CCA-treated vineyard posts into fencing, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.