Western Australian Wine Sustainability Advancement Program – What is WAWSAP?
Wines of Western Australia (WoWA) has successfully secured $2.13 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust to deliver the Western Australian Wine Sustainability Advancement Program (WAWSAP).
This landmark three-year initiative was one of only ten grants awarded and represents $9 million in total project value, positioning WA’s wine industry to become international leaders in sustainable wine production.
WAWSAP directly addresses industry-identified priorities from the 2024 Sustainability Survey, including water management, soil health, sustainability certification, and circular economy practices.
Led by WoWA in partnership with DPIRD, Wine Australia, Margaret River Wine Association, Great Southern Wine Producers Association, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, South Coast Natural Resource Management, South West Natural Resource Management, and Grower Group Alliance, the program builds on significant momentum from WoWA’s 2024-2025 Driving Sustainability Program and delivers tangible support through three integrated projects now open for industry participation.
To be eligible for all projects you must be a current financial member of Wines of Western Australia (paid APC Fee For Services) or a grapegrower supplying to a current financial member of WoWA.
- Project 1: Enhancing Water Security & Biodiversity through Dam and Riparian Rehabilitation. Focuses on rehabilitating dams and riparian zones (vegetated areas around waterways and dams) to improve water quality, reduce erosion, increase biodiversity, and support climate resilience in viticulture.
- Project 2a: Sustainability Certification Support Vouchers, closing 31 March 2028 EOI Form here. Sustainability Certification Support Voucher program that addresses the financial barrier by providing $1,500 towards your certification journey – whether you’re taking the first step, maintaining existing certification, or implementing sustainability improvements.
- Project 2b: Wine Forward Climate Resilience Program, EOIs for phase 1 are now closed. EOIs for Phase 2 opening again in May 2026. Climate-related risks including longer droughts, erratic rainfall, extended fire seasons, and shifting growing conditions are creating operational challenges and strategic uncertainties for WA wine businesses.
- Project 3: Biodiversity Benchmarking & Natural Capital Pathways, details coming soon.
Please see here for the Sustainability Report, WA regional surveys, and other webinars and presentations.