Thousands of Perth homes have been swept into an immediate quarantine as authorities race to stamp out Queensland fruit fly, with more than 7000 properties in a 1.5km “red” zone ordered to strip fruit trees and stop produce moving between suburbs.
First detected last year, Qfly is one of the biggest threats to Western Australia’s $1.49 billion horticultural industry and was recently detected by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in South Perth and Como.
For homeowners, many of which live in multimillion-dollar postcodes, the implications are direct and immediate.
Residents within the designated “red” quarantine zone, which includes properties in South Perth, Como, Kensington, Bentley, and East Victoria Park, are mandated to pick all ripe and ripening fruit and fruiting vegetables from host plants, as well as any fallen produce.
The directive extends to over 300 types of fruit and fruiting vegetables, including common backyard staples such as tomatoes, chillies, and capsicums.
A quarantine zone has been declared for more than 7,000 properties in South Perth, Como, Kensington, Bentley and East Victoria Park. Source: DPIRD
Any fruit that is not eaten or processed must be solarised – secured in a black plastic bag in the sun for seven days – before being placed in the general waste bin.
Home grown host fruit and fruiting vegetables must also not be moved within or outside of the Red Zone. Only cooked, frozen dried or preserved fruit can be moved.
An “orange” zone, covering a broader 15km radius, also imposes restrictions, acting as a buffer to prevent further spread.
DPIRD staff inspecting properties for fruit flies.
For many homeowners, a productive garden with established fruit trees is a cherished asset, contributing significantly to a property’s appeal and lifestyle amenity.
The current restrictions mean a temporary loss of this amenity, and the ongoing effort required for compliance could be a consideration for potential buyers in these areas.
DPIRD Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Vincent Lanoiselet emphasised the critical role of community co-operation.
The Qfly is one of the biggest threats to Western Australia’s $1.49 billion horticultural industry.
“DPIRD is working with residents, industry and businesses to make them aware of the important quarantine measures to help us eradicate Qfly,” Dr Lanoiselet said.
“We are calling for the support of everyone in the Quarantine Red Zone to pick ripe and ripening fruit and not move fruit to help break the pest’s life cycle and stop it from spreading to other suburbs and our horticultural areas.
“Working together – industry, government and community – gives us the best chance of eradicating this pest as quickly as possible.”
Lorraine Harrison had no choice but to destroy all of the fruit she’s spent five years trying to grow. Source: Supplied
For residents like Nurse Lorraine Harrison from Alfred’s Cove, the personal cost is palpable. Last year, she was forced to remove kilos of grapes and hundreds of figs from her “backyard oasis,” a “heartbreaking” sacrifice that underscores the direct impact on property enjoyment and the value placed on established gardens.
“A lot of effort has gone into nurturing the trees, and being responsible with the prevention and control of Mediterranean fruit fly, this process has been quite heartbreaking,” she told Yahoo News.
“But we have a good chance of succeeding if we follow the rules, and the more people that do it the better.”
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