Horticulture

Co-ordinated fruit fly approach needed

By Contributed

Jun 1, 2026

Local governance groups are warning that unmanaged public lands are hampering growers’ efforts to combat Queensland fruit fly infestations. Image edited using AI.

A Goulburn-Murray Valley governance group is pressing Victorian Government agencies and local councils to audit fruit fly host vegetation on public land, warning unmanaged roadsides and parks are fuelling reinfestation across the Goulburn Murray Valley.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Program Governance Group has formally asked the government and councils across the region to identify and manage fruit fly-prone trees on land under their control.

Group chair Tony Siciliano said grower investment in suppression was being undermined by pest pressure from public land.

“If public land is not actively managed, it continues to drive reinfestation of QFF (Queensland fruit fly) across orchards, backyards and communities,” Mr Siciliano said.

Greater Shepparton City Council has committed to an audit in the 2026-27 financial year.

The group is in discussions with Moira, Strathbogie and Campaspe shire councils and the government about joining a co-ordinated regional program.

Mr Siciliano said independent analysis had identified the Goulburn Murray Valley as one of Australia’s highest-risk fruit fly regions, with unmanaged host vegetation a key driver of ongoing pressure.

“This is not about placing responsibility on any one group, it is about recognising that effective fruit fly management requires a shared and co-ordinated effort,” Mr Siciliano said.

The GMV is one of Australia’s most significant horticultural regions, producing stone fruit, pears, tomatoes and other high-value crops across the Shepparton irrigation district and surrounding areas.