A NSW Government website

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Managing neglected vineyards and orchards


Neglected vineyards and orchards can become breeding grounds for pests and diseases, posing serious biosecurity risks to neighbouring properties—especially while the plants are still alive and in the early stages of neglect and capable of hosting threats.

Who’s responsible?

Whether you're a current landowner, a new property buyer, or someone planning to redevelop a site, you're responsible for managing pests, diseases, and weeds on your land—even if you’re no longer using it for horticulture.

If you're considering partially or fully neglecting a vineyard or orchard, it's essential to understand the potential impact on surrounding growers and take steps to reduce biosecurity risks.

Management options

If keeping the vines or trees

Even if production has ceased, vines and trees must still be actively managed. This includes:

  • Maintaining seasonal pest and disease control programs.
  • Mulching or removing unharvested fruit to reduce the risk of propagating pests such as fruit flies.

If ceasing production

The most effective way to eliminate biosecurity risks is to remove or kill all vines and trees.

Vineyard management

To reduce the spread of pests and diseases:

  • Cut vines approximately 30 cm above ground level, ideally in late spring.
  • Remove and burn the upper vine material or leave it on the trellis to dry out.
  • Apply a systemic herbicide to the stump immediately after cutting (a method known as cut and paste) to prevent regrowth.

Note: Treated trellis posts (e.g. with CCA or creosote) must not be burned or buried. Dispose of them at a licensed landfill.

Orchard management

The priority is to eliminate host trees:

  • Cut down trees, leaving a portion of the trunk to aid in stump removal.
  • Ringbark or apply herbicide to kill the tree and prevent sucker growth.
  • Excavators are the most efficient method for full tree removal.

If dead trees are stockpiled for later disposal, consult your local council for approved methods—especially if burning is being considered.

Grower responsibilities

Under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, all landowners have a General Biosecurity Duty to prevent, eliminate, or minimise biosecurity risks associated with their property. This includes managing pests, diseases, and weeds in neglected vineyards and orchards.

If a neglected site is found to pose a biosecurity risk, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) may take action through:

  • voluntary undertakings with the landowner
  • biosecurity directions requiring specific action.
  • compliance enforcement, including property access and cost recovery if directions are ignored.

For more information visit the General Biosecurity Duty.

Reporting biosecurity concerns

If you're a grower affected by pests or diseases from a neighbouring neglected property, or if you suspect a biosecurity risk, you can report it via the channels below.

For more information about your legal obligations, visit biosecurity legislation.

Useful resources