South East SA local news briefing, 21/09/2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The owner of a cabin and boat hire business in Nelson says recent bookings have given him confidence about local tourism, despite concerns about bird flu and rising fuel prices.

It is the first day of school holidays in Victoria and the average price of unleaded is the highest it has been since April.

David Graham said the recent rises had not affected bookings in the coastal town, neither had bird flu.

Robe caravan park owner Anthony Moore echoed optimism about upcoming travel demand.

He said people still wanted to make a booking, even though "the uncertainty is there for everybody"."We all just need to work through together", he said. 

The owner of a Limestone Coast potato farm is urging the federal government to reconsider its overhaul of the working holiday visa system.

The changes cap the number of renewed applications after one year in Australia, which the agricultural industry has warned could limit production impact the nation's food security.

Farmer Lachlan Heysen said he had become increasingly reliant on backpackers to fill a seasonal gap in the local workforce.

He said some had worked on potato farms in Europe and had been "absolutely critical".

The president of the Coonawarra Vignerons Association says he is not expecting any vineyard removal to be visible to travellers passing through the heart of Coonawarra.

The state government has announced $109 million for the struggling industry to help growers transition to other crops.

Dan Redman said he did not believe the package had come too late, and hoped it would help growers decide whether to repurpose their farmland.

Mr Redman said expansion across wine regions, including Coonawarra, had exceeded what was required.

Kingston has ended a four-decade wait for an A-grade football premiership.

Kingston beat Lucindale by 11 goals in the KNTFL decider, while Kybybolite defeated Keith 54 to 41 in the netball grand final.

In the Limestone Coast League, South Gambier beat Casterton-Sandford 64 to 37 in football.

North Gambier also won the netball premiership, defeating Millicent 31 to 28.