Living it up at the golf? Don’t risk a $417 fine
Wednesday 5 February 2025
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is reminding people from the Riverland visiting Adelaide for LIV Golf next weekend to leave restricted home-grown fruit and vegetables behind.
Incident Controller of the Fruit Fly Emergency Response, Jason Size, explained that people caught with restricted home-grown produce would face a $417 fine.
“We don’t want to fine you, just as much as you don’t want to be fined,” Mr Size said.
“If you do find yourself with restricted produce while travelling, please dispose of it in one of the quarantine bins located around the state.”
Mr Size said that it’s important for Riverlanders in fruit fly affected areas (red outbreak areas and yellow suspension areas) to leave any home-grown restricted produce at home and buy locally while in Adelaide.
“Please remember that all produce purchased outside the Riverland cannot be taken back in to the Riverland, even with a receipt,” Mr Size said.
“The only exception is when buying from accredited retailers named on our website, which you can find at fruitfly.sa.gov.au/riverland-shopping-options.”
A new Queensland fruit fly outbreak was declared on 29 January following the detection of fruit fly larvae in a plum in Murtho, bringing the total number of Riverland outbreaks since December 2020 to 56.
A new Queensland fruit fly outbreak was also declared in metropolitan Adelaide at Glynde on Thursday 23 January, after fruit fly larvae was found in a peach at a property.
“PIRSA field officers have been on the ground since day one to get both of these outbreaks under control,” Mr Size said.
PIRSA fruit fly officers are working in affected areas to apply organic bait and check for signs of fruit fly. Residents and businesses are being contacted with information about the outbreak.
“To date, field officers have deployed thousands of traps across the Riverland. More traps mean that while we detect fruit fly more often, our tireless field officers can use that knowledge in their work to find and eradicate this pest,” he said.
“Remember to pick your fruit and vegetables, collect any fallen produce off the ground, check it for any signs of fruit fly and call the Fruit Fly Hotline if you suspect any signs of fruit fly on your property.”
PIRSA will continue to release sterile flies at Lindsay Point, Loxton, Murtho, New Residence, and Pyap until 23 February 2025. Find out more about the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT).
Total outbreak breakdown
Detections in the last 12 weeks | Outbreak areas with no detections | Outbreak areas with detections | TOTAL OUTBREAKS |
As at 3 February | 27 | 29 | 56 |
As at 26 January | 28 | 27 | 55 |
New extensions to existing outbreak areas include Barmera, Chaffey B, Cooltong C, Lyrup and Renmark West.
The end dates for all 3 outbreaks are as follows:
- Riverland: 22 April 2025
- Glynde: 25 April 2025
- Salisbury: 6 March 2025
PIRSA has Family and Business (FaB) support mentors available to help Riverland locals through this challenging time. FaB mentors are available for a free, informal, confidential and independent conversation in person, or over the phone:
- 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 fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.