Goulburn Murray Valley Regional Fruit Fly Project regional fruit fly coordinator Ross Abberfield checks a trap.
Local fruit producers, whether large scale or backyard growers, are being invited to provide information to guide the next phase of fruit fly education and eradication programs in the region.
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The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project campaign - called No Flies On Us! - runs across several local councils, including Berrigan Shire.
Through a new survey, the groups wants to gauge your understanding of how to manage Queensland Fruit Fly and who is responsible for backyard gardens, commercial crops and public lands.
“Your response will help us to deliver fruit fly awareness, education and engagement strategies more effectively across the Goulburn Murray Valley region,” a spokesperson said.
Queensland fruit fly attack and damage a wide range of fruit and vegetables, and is recognised as a serious pest. When fruit is attacked it is inedible.
While the Queensland fruit fly is native to eastern Queensland and north-eastern NSW, the prevalence of hosts in Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW and Victoria has expanded the area in which it is found.
Fruit fly activity generally increases in spring as the weather gets warmer, however is not restricted to a particular season.
Outbreaks have the potential to limit production for growers and result in reduced income through lost trade opportunities.
An example of fruit fly affected fruit.
It is essential that people take a range of measures to help control fruit fly, rather than relying on one single action.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project was established with the belief that successful management of fruit fly is a community effort.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project region is 16,354km² and encompasses the five local government areas of Greater Shepparton City Council, Campaspe, Moira, Strathbogie and Berrigan Shires, servicing a population of 150,067 people.
Since the project’s inception in 2017, the region has recorded a significant decrease in fruit fly trapped through the project’s extensive trapping grid.
Key milestones include an 83 per cent reduction of the fruit fly population in the township of Cobram, and a 60 per cent reduction in the fruit fly population across the Goulburn Murray Valley region.
The group has also administered workshops to more than 14,000 participants, implemented education programs in schools and forged important partnerships to continue their education and eradication aims.
To help guide the group’s continuing programs, complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FruitFly2025.
