The current Quarantine Area Notice to prevent the spread of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) is being extended for an additional six months, with a reduction in the size of the Red Zone to better focus response efforts.
Effective Friday, 4 April, the revised Red Zone will include the suburbs of Willagee, Palmyra, Melville, O'Connor, Kardinya, and Samson, as well as parts of Coolbellup, Murdoch, North Lake, and Winthrop. Residents are encouraged to check the wa.gov.au/qfly webpage to confirm if they are still within the Red Zone and to review the applicable rules.
Red Zone requirements remain unchanged. Residents must strip host fruit and fruiting vegetables—including tomatoes, capsicum, and chilies—from their properties, regardless of ripeness. The movement of homegrown Qfly host produce within or outside the Red Zone is strictly prohibited.
Properties no longer in the Red Zone are now part of the Orange Zone. Movement requirements for this area are available online.
© Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Australia
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According to DPIRD Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Vincent Lanoiselet, a team of 200 DPIRD personnel has so far baited over 7,900 properties in the Red Zone, installing more than 170 traps and 10,700 lures in trees.
"The extension of the Quarantine Area Notice for a further six months will support the ongoing response and help ensure that national requirements to demonstrate that Qfly has been eradicated from WA are satisfied," he stated.
If Qfly were to become established in Western Australia, it could seriously impact the state's horticulture industry and restrict access to domestic and export markets.
DPIRD officers continue to inspect trees, apply bait, and treat both residential and commercial properties, as well as street trees, using registered organic controls for Qfly. Importantly, tree removal is not required, as effective treatments are available to manage the pest.
For more information:
Megan Broad
Department of PIRD
Tel: +61 8 9368 3937
Email: Megan.broad@dpird.wa.gov.au
www.wa.gov.au