Riverland faces and voices are echoing messages about the urgent need to prevent and eradicate fruit fly as part of the State Government’s major awareness campaign: 'Don’t let fruit fly under the radar'.
Launched mid-December 2022, the latest phase of the campaign features local people from growers to residents, teachers, children, and a garden club member who are all affected by fruit fly and are playing their part to prevent outbreaks.
'Don’t let fruit fly under the radar', which is being run across the Riverland, illustrates the importance of why the whole community needs to play a part in fruit fly eradication.
For more information about fruit fly, visit the fruit fly website or call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.
Talent profiles – faces behind the fruit fly awareness campaign
Raj – J&J Dreams, Renmark stonefruit grower
I am a commercial peach and nectarine grower in Renmark. We are spending money on chemicals, extra spraying and transport for waste disposal because of fruit fly outbreaks. It’s so disappointing not being able to share our fruit with friends and family and that visitors to the region cannot enjoy buying directly from growers. Outbreaks are affecting everyone, and we must all understand what impact fruit fly is having on our beautiful Riverland region.
Please understand what you need to do and protect the Riverland from fruit fly. Keep your backyard and blocks clean, remove ripe fruit and pick up fallen fruit.
Dino – Cotsaris Cherries, Renmark Cherry grower
I grow commercial cherries and wine grapes in Renmark. Fruit fly outbreaks have affected our cherry business as we’ve lost access to sensitive domestic and international markets. Horticulture is the backbone of the Riverland’s economy – it employs not just growers but pickers, pack houses, traders, horticulture retailers and local businesses. I would like all Riverland people to be more aware of how they can help with fruit fly eradication so as a community we can fight this pest. Getting rid of fruit fly will not only benefit growers but it will help keep the whole Riverland prosperous.
Mariela and Leo – local children
We love our home-grown plums, peaches, and apples, and being able to walk out into the backyard and pick it off the tree ourselves. Our family has a fruit growing business too. We want to keep having our fruit and not let fruit fly get it. We help mum and dad pick the fruit and pick up any fruit that’s on the ground. We hope everyone else helps stop fruit fly too.
Anthony – Waikerie grower
I’m a commercial citrus, wine grape and avocado grower in Waikerie. Fruit fly outbreaks have increased my operational costs and reduced my profits. I also have backyard fruit trees at my home, and I can no longer share fruit with my friends. I am really concerned that if we don’t get rid of fruit fly in the Riverland there is a possibility that I may not be able to grow fruit and vegetables in my backyard. This is not just an issue for commercial growers, it affects everyone. We all need to support with fruit fly eradication. I wanted to be part of the fruit fly awareness campaign because the Riverland will be a different place if we let fruit fly become rampant. Please, pick your fruit as soon as it is ripe and prevent an outbreak in your backyard.
Vicki – Renmark garden club member and resident
We grow lemons, limes, oranges, cumquats and loquats at home. We live in a red outbreak area and cannot share our fruit with family. Our family members use our lemons in the jam that they sell, and they can’t do that at the moment. Fruit fly can devastate family businesses and cause financial hardship. It affects everyone in the Riverland – growers, pickers, sellers and buyers. I wanted to be involved in the campaign to raise awareness of this devastating pest and to help keep our fruit fly free status. Please don’t be complacent with fruit fly – pick ripe fruit, collect fallen fruit, check fruit for signs of fruit fly and call the Fruit Fly Hotline if you suspect fruit fly – 1300 666 010.
Penny – Loxton High School teacher
Many of my friends, neighbours and students come from fruit growing families and they have been significantly affected by fruit fly in the Riverland. The impact and strain on local growers, businesses and our Riverland economy is concerning. As an educator in this community, I feel it's necessary to encourage people to do the right thing in how they mitigate this issue. Fruit fly prevention is essential to know about and such a simple thing for everyone to enact. Complacency is one of our biggest hurdles as a community and the job to protect our region comes down to all of us playing our part.