Community cooperation with property access helps eradication

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is reminding Riverland residents that providing access to their properties this spring is an important part of the ongoing Queensland fruit fly eradication response.

PIRSA continues to see lower fruit fly detections across the Riverland, however, continued community cooperation remains essential while the response continues.

General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response, Jason Size, said property access is an important part of protecting the Riverland’s $1.58 billion horticulture industry.

“Our field teams are working across outbreak areas to find and control any remaining fruit fly,” Mr Size said.

“When our field teams visit a property, they are looking to carrying out a range of practical activities to investigate the presence of fruit fly and remove opportunities for it to breed.

“Our field teams are fully trained and capable of getting to the hard-to-reach areas, they just need to be given access.”

With unimpeded property access, PIRSA field teams across Riverland outbreak areas can carry out essential response activities, including checking for fruit fly, inspecting traps, deploying and servicing traps, applying bait, completing garden hygiene checks, and removing at-risk fruit and vegetables.

PIRSA field staff visiting residential properties in the Riverland.

This spring, PIRSA field teams are seeing risky fruit, including loquats, remaining unpicked high in large trees across Riverland outbreak areas. Providing PIRSA field teams with access to these properties allows them to use their specialist equipment, expertise and resources to safely remove fruit that could provide a breeding opportunity for Queensland fruit fly.

Property visits provide more than just a snapshot of an individual property. Information gathered by field teams helps PIRSA understand where fruit fly is, where it may be breeding and whether additional controls or follow-up visits are required.

PIRSA works with residents to arrange suitable times for property visits wherever possible.

“If we leave a card or letter requesting access to your property, please contact the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010 so we can arrange a suitable time for our team to visit,” Mr Size said.

“Every property we can access helps us build a clearer picture of fruit fly activity and make sure the right controls are being applied.”

For more information about outbreak areas, visit the outbreak-map or call the 24-hour Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.

Current outbreak end dates

As of Monday 5 October 2026, the end dates for all outbreaks remain as:

• Riverland: 30 December 2026
• Elizabeth East: 12 December 2026

Contact

PIRSA Family and Business (FaB) mentors are available to support Riverland residents through this challenging time. FaB mentors are available for free, informal, confidential, and independent conversation in person or over the phone.

Riverland and Murraylands FaB mentors include Robyn Cain (0411 633 085), John Chase (0419 848 672), and Brent Fletcher (0439 409 430). Learn more at FaB mentors or call the FaB mentors directly.