Goulburn Vallley residents have been urged to continue to guard against backyard fruit fly infestations, while news has emerged that a fruit fly program has received government money.

Greater Shepparton City Council has secured $469,000 in Victorian Government funding for the Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Program, to continue to manage Queensland fruit fly across the region.

The Goulburn Murray Fruit Fly Program incorporates the municipal areas of Greater Shepparton, Moira Shire, Campaspe Shire and Strathbogie Shire.

The partnering councils, alongside Fruit Growers Victoria and Cobram and District Fruit Growers Association, had been advocating for $1 million per annum to roll out a high-input area-wide management program across the Goulburn Murray Valley.

While the full amount has not been made available, council was successful in receiving $469,000 for the 2025/26 financial year. The government advised it would also provide funding for the 2026/27 financial year; however, this amount is yet to be confirmed.

Fruit Growers Victoria grower services manager Michael Crisera welcomed the announcement and urged residents to continue to support the control program by reporting infestations and maintaining backyard fruit trees, which can become a harbour for the pest.

“It’s definitely a positive move, which will enable us to get the program back on track,” Mr Crisera said, noting there had been a delay in the allocation.

“It had been pretty much winding up, but due to the lobbying by the city and industry, it’s back on.”

One of the complications had been trying to meet different expectations from the three different Victorian regions. The Sunraysia preferred a more orchard-based approach, while the Yarra Valley and Goulburn Valley were concerned about urban influences on the prevalence of the pest.

Mr Crisera said authorities would be watching for outbreaks through summer, particularly after heavy rain.

While the funding received was less than anticipated, Mayor Shane Sali said it ensured critical work could continue to support the region’s $1.6 billion horticulture industry.

“The funding is critical as we head into summer — a vital time for Queensland fruit fly breeding,” he said.

“We know that they breed quickly in urban areas and migrate to orchards, which is extremely concerning. Currently, the majority of fruit growers in our region protect their farms from Queensland fruit fly using baits and spray; however, they do so at a significant cost to their bottom line.”

“This money will be put towards further targeted fruit fly education and control. While it is less than we had been advocating for, the funding will ensure some work can continue to support our region’s horticulture industry.”

The funding will continue to support a dedicated fruit fly co-ordinator, alongside two part time field officers who will undertake Queensland fruit fly education within the community. The funding will also support volunteer engagement, marketing and signage, and community workshops, while ensuring a targeted trapping grid can recommence.

The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Management Program saw positive results over many years, with Queensland fruit fly numbers reducing by over 95 per cent in 2017 and then a further 60 per cent in 2018. These positive results suffered post-2020, however, when government funding was reduced, resulting in a less intensive area-wide management program. Since this funding cut, Queensland fruit fly numbers have increased by over 183 per cent since 2021.

Management tips

To manage Queensland fruit fly in the community, residents are encouraged to:

• Actively manage their fruit and vegetables if they live near identified fruit fly ‘hot spots’.

• Inspect produce for sting marks, strip plants of infested produce and dispose of it by solarisation.

• Purchase fruit fly netting to prevent fruit fly stinging produce.

• Remove any unwanted/unmanaged Fruit Fly habitat from their land.

• Pick their produce early rather than late and prune their fruit trees to a manageable size so fruit is not left high in the trees.

• If individuals have problems with infested fruit trees from neighbouring properties impacting their land, they should report it to GMV fruit fly co-ordinator Ross Abberfield, who will take appropriate action.

For further advice and support, visit fruitflycontrol.com.au

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