No new Queensland fruit fly outbreaks have been declared, and the total number of outbreaks remains at 44.
Restrictions are still in place in the extended 1.5 km red outbreak area and 15 km yellow suspension areas.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) staff are visiting properties in the area to inspect yards, apply organic bait, and provide residents with information about what they need to do.
Peak industry bodies Citrus SA, Avocados Australia, Riverland Wine, and Summerfruit SA will be hosting community information meetings about fruit fly this month.
All meeting will start at 4pm:
- Monday 16 October - Waikerie Hotel
- Tuesday 17 October - Loxton Hotel
- Wednesday 18 October - Renmark Hotel
- Thursday 19 October - Berri Hotel.
PIRSA General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response, Paul Dowsett, encouraged Riverlanders to attend the community meetings.
'I strongly urge residents and growers to attend their local community meeting,' said Mr Dowsett.
'We all need to share information about actions we can take together to improve our situation.'
Mr Dowsett also said that the community has played a significant role in helping PIRSA to detect fruit flies and rapidly respond to those detections.
'Deploying more traps helps us locate fruit fly hotspots, and fight back against fruit fly,' he said.
'If we can expand our trapping grid and access more data, we increase our ability to wipe out fruit fly hotspots.'
New extensions to existing outbreak areas include:
- Barmera
- Cooltong C.
Outbreak area boundary extensions also affect yellow suspension area boundaries.
Search your address on the fruit fly interactive map to see how fruit and vegetable movement restrictions affect you, depending where you live, travel, work or go to school, and learn what you need to do within the 1.5 km red outbreak area and 15 km yellow suspension areas.
Total outbreak breakdown includes:
| Outbreak area | Current (12 week period, up to 1 October) | Previous fortnight |
|---|---|---|
| Outbreak areas with no detections for >12 weeks | 15 | 17 |
| Outbreak areas with detections during the last 12 weeks | 29 | 27 |
| Total outbreaks | 44 | 44 |
The end date for all outbreaks is 31 December 2023, but this may change if more fruit flies are detected.
Sterile insect technology (SIT) is operating at Murtho, Bookpurnong and Wonuarra.
If you feel overwhelmed about this situation, our Family and Business (FaB) support mentors can help.
FaB mentors are local Riverlanders who can support you through this challenging time. You can have a free, informal, confidential and independent conversation with them in person, or by phone. Learn more about FaB mentors or call them directly:
- Robyn Cain - 0411 633 085
- John Chase - 0419 848 672
- Brent Fletcher - 0439 409 430
For more information about the fruit fly, self-baiting, or the latest outbreak advice, visit www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.
