Council secured $469,000 in Victorian Government funding last year to continue the GMV Fruit Fly Program for the 2025-26 financial year.
However, this allocation is not sufficient to cover the cost of tree removals and as a result, this component has been removed from the broader Fruit Fly Program.
Since the funding announcement last year, council has received a surge of requests from residents seeking to remove fruit trees as part of their efforts to manage fruit fly on their urban properties.
While council acknowledges and appreciates this proactive community response, the program’s limited funding must be directed to other high-priority activities.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said the strong interest from residents highlighted the need for this service to continue, saying the council would be advising the Victorian Government of the value of the tree removal program in the broader response against Queensland Fruit Fly.
“We appreciate the community’s commitment to managing fruit fly and their willingness to remove unwanted fruit trees,” Cr Sali said.
“However, based on expert advice and the challenges we are facing this season, funding has been directed to other essential activities such as establishing a stronger field presence, supporting volunteers and delivering education programs throughout the Goulburn Murray Valley.
“We will continue our advocacy efforts to the Victorian Government to ensure they understand the strong impact this tree removal program can have in managing Queensland Fruit Fly in our urban areas.”
Applications for tree removals are often received from the elderly and physically challenged, who are unable to manage their backyard fruit trees.
Cobram and District Fruit Growers Association president Adrian Conti reinforced the value of the initiative.
“The fruit tree removal program is very important to us as fruit growers,” he said.
“We hope that funding in future years will enable the continuation of urban tree removals. We are very grateful for the community’s interest in supporting the fruit industry,” he said.
The council will continue to advocate for the reinstatement of a funded tree removal program, given the clear community demand and its potential benefits for fruit fly management.
To manage Queensland Fruit Fly in the community, residents are encouraged to:
- Actively manage their fruit and vegetables if they live near identified fruit fly ‘hot spots’.
- Inspect produce for sting marks, strip plants of infested produce and dispose of it by solarisation.
- Purchase fruit fly netting to prevent fruit fly stinging their produce.
- Remove any unwanted/unmanaged fruit fly habitat from their land.
- Pick their produce early rather than late and prune their fruit trees to a manageable size so fruit is not left high in the trees.
Residents seeking support or advice about Queensland Fruit Fly on their property are encouraged to contact GMV Fruit Fly Program co-ordinator Ross Abberfield for assistance.
The council can be contacted on 5832 9700 or by emailing fruitflycontrol@shepparton.vic.gov.au
For further advice and support, visit fruitflycontrol.com.au
