Warming to fans

By Melissa Donchi
A SECOND vineyard has been given approval to install frost fans in a bid to avert a repeat of last year’s disastrous $15 million grape crop loss.
Objectors say the frost fans are noisy and are an eyesore but grape growers say they are only needed by some vineyards.
And in approving the application to Yarra Glen Vineyards, the Shire of Yarra Ranges said the fans must comply with limitations on noise levels within the Environment Protection Authority’s standards for frost fans.
The latest applicant, Chris Messerle, has been allowed four frost fans at his Melba Highway property and one at Steels Creek.
There were 21 objections from members of the community relating to potential noise and visual impact. The latest approval is only the second time in two weeks that applications for frost fans have been granted in the Yarra Valley, the first one being Coldstream’s Mount Mary vineyard.
While some objectors are concerned about the potential influx of frost fans to the Yarra Valley, Mr Messerle said this was not going to be the case.
“Not everyone is going to be affected by frost so not everyone is going to have to buy the fans which are very expensive,” Mr Messerle said.
“They are absolutely necessary to protect our industry and we believe they will significantly reduce our loss,” Mr Messerle said.
However, objector Barry Sheffield compared the potential problems of the fans to the ongoing problems at the Coldstream compost facility.
“The Coldstream composting facility was issued with a permit on the grounds that it would not create an odour problem,” Mr Sheffield said.
“Both these facilities have been a thorn in the council’s side and will require considerable time and resources to resolve.”
But if wineries don’t control frost the outcome could be devastating to the Yarra Valley tourism industry.
Last year’s frost wiped out 65 per cent of its crops with an estimated loss of $15 million.
Chairman of the Victorian Wine Industry Association and former President of the Yarra Valley Winegrowers Association Michael Mathers said the complaints were a storm in a teacup.
“Last year this region lost half its crop and many many millions of dollars,” Mr Mathers said.
“Frost fans are the only environmentally and economic ways to deal with frost,” Mr Mathers said.
This is also being debated with objectors saying there are other viable ways to deal with frost.
Ms Sheffield said a fine mist spray could work as an alternative.
“Yering Station vineyard has recently installed a mist spray system to combat frost,” he said.
“This system uses a fine mist of water to raise the temperature of the vines and prevent them from freezing. It, of course, would not cause any disturbance to neighbours.”
But Mount Mary owner David Middleton said the mist spray uses enormous amounts of water.
“It’s all very well for them to sit around a table and say how terrible but they don’t seem to understand the need for a farmer to protect crops,” Mr Middleton said.
“How can you run a farm if you don’t have any products?”