Regulatory changes in the Greater Sunraysia region

The Greater Sunraysia area follows the course of the Murray River from Kerang to Wentworth and the Darling River from Wentworth to Pooncarie.

In 2006, the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GSPFA) was established to enhance market opportunities and help protect local horticultural industries from Queensland fruit fly (QFF). Following increasing detections of QFF in 2014, the GSPFA was suspended for trade.

Queensland fruit fly is now established throughout the Victorian and New South Wales (NSW) portions of Greater Sunraysia, and across Victoria more broadly. It is also established throughout NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Given the establishment of QFF throughout Victoria, and the ongoing suspension of the GSPFA for trade purposes, there is no longer a justification for its continuation. As such, the regulation of the GSPFA will be allowed to lapse, and by mid-July 2024 the GSPFA will cease to exist.

The horticulture industry in the Sunraysia region has already adjusted to the establishment of QFF in production practices and through implementation of end point treatments such as cool storage treatment, fumigation, or irradiation to ensure market access.

Removal of the GSPFA will decrease regulatory and administrative burden on industries and other stakeholders who grow or trade horticultural produce in the region. Signs and quarantine bins will be removed in the coming months. There will no longer be restrictions around bringing QFF host produce into or out of the Sunraysia area. However, the requirements for the movement of fruit to interstate QFF sensitive markets have not changed and consignments will need to meet each states’ importation requirements. Restrictions in movement of Mediterranean fruit fly host produce, which apply state-wide, do not change.

Note: the Order declaring a restricted area in north west Victoria for the control of Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly (Lindsay Point Order) remains in place to assist South Australia in retaining pest free area status in the Riverland.

Victoria’s exotic fruit fly trapping network

Victoria undertakes surveillance for exotic fruit fly species as a component of the broader surveillance system. Exotic fruit fly surveillance provides confidence on the state’s freedom from such species, together with ensuring timely detection to enhance the ability to successfully eradicate if there is an incursion.

Throughout 2024, Agriculture Victoria will be enhancing the strength of the exotic fruit fly trapping network, ensuring trap locations align to areas of greatest risk of entry. This will see an increase in trap numbers around major ports and urban areas, with key targets including Mediterranean fruit fly, Jarvis fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly.

Exotic fruit flies are a significant threat to Victoria's $3 billion horticultural industry, with the potential to impact on production and trade opportunities. The exotic fruit fly trapping network delivered by Agriculture Victoria aims to safeguard horticultural production and support enhanced trade prospects.