HUGH SCHUITEMAKER and JOSH BRINE
RIVERLAND councils need powers to improve the management of abandoned fruit blocks in order to prevent further fruit fly outbreaks, says a local MP.
PIRSA last week released an estimated 3.5 million sterile fruit flies into Riverland outbreak zones, which will now be under quarantine until November.
Speaking at the release, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said further action was required from Riverland councils to assist the eradication of fruit fly in the region.
“That’s also a call for local government to be a part of the solution,” Mr Whetstone said.
“We’re asking council to consider playing a larger role… there are opportunities for council to be part of the eradication program.
“I know councils are picking up green waste more than they normally would, the question is are they prepared to go a step further?”
Mr Whetstone said councils needed the ability to force owners of local abandoned fruit blocks to clean properties of potential fruit fly host material.
“Owners of the abandoned horticulture blocks must understand the risk those properties present,” he said.
“I’m pushing for local governments to have more power to enforce hygiene in abandoned properties, to the point where those orchards are cleaned up, or trees and vines are removed.
“(It) poses an added risk of host material for fruit fly.
“I’ve spoken to the planning minister, and the chair of the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, and they are looking at ways they can strengthen regulations.”
Berri Barmera Council is assisting PIRSA with fruit removal and disposal through weekly green bin collections within the Berri township following a fruit fly detection earlier this month.
During a deputation to elected members at council’s monthly meeting last week, Mr Whetstone called on local government to be proactive in managing abandoned orchards.
“The abandoned orchard that we were talking about behind On the Run (in Berri) – I went for a drive through there and it’s atrocious,” he said.
“It’s not managed at all, is about eight acres, and it has lots of host fruit… it’s a jungle and it’s a disgrace.
“I’ve spoken to the Attorney General and the Minister for Planning, and (Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board Chair) Di Davidson to look at ways we can give local government more power, and I’ve spoken with the Mayor.
“Everyone says we need more money, and that will be a challenge, but if we’re going to be serious about the Riverland coming together on this we need to have all guns blazing.”
When asked by council CEO Karyn Burton why responsibility for the blocks was being passed down to councils, Mr Whetstone said it was the only way the region could eradicate fruit fly.
“I don’t want to put all the weight on council, but PIRSA has shown its not capable of doing it,” he said.
“It has had the chance to do this for a long time… they know that abandoned orchards are a problem.
“They know but they aren’t doing anything about it.
“I’ve watched the behaviour of the departments and they are process-driven, not outcome-driven, so we’re not getting the results we need…
“I’m just trying to provoke a debate about who is responsible. At the moment, PIRSA ducks and local government don’t want to know about it.”
Mr Whetstone said preventing additional outbreaks of fruit fly was a “common goal” for the Riverland.
“Everyone needs to step it up now,” he said. “Not only people with fruit trees in their backyard, but as a community we need to give support to the industry, our fellow (growers), and irrigators.
“We cannot afford to have any level of complacency. This is a time when the Riverland has to pull together.
“We all want fruit that is fruit fly free, whether that is commercial fruit for export markets, or backyard trees for local consumption.”