Please note: this is an old article
It was published in October 2023, so the information may be out-of-date.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management (GMVFFAWM) Project is aimed at mitigating Fruit Fly, a significant biosecurity risk in the region that has threatened the Horticulture Industry since its first appearance.
The GMVFFAWM project region encompasses the five local government areas of Greater Shepparton City Council, Campaspe, Moira, Strathbogie and Berrigan Shires.
The project creates awareness, education and engagement amongst the community, industry and government around Fruit Fly through strategies such as rogue tree removal and residential fruit tree maintenance education. The Greater Shepparton City Council has recently taken on a two year term of the project with Ross Abberfield running the program.
Between 2017 and 2019 a reduction of 60% in Queensland Fruit Fly trapping numbers was measured across the Goulburn Murray Valley region. In Cobram, where the Sterile Insect Technique release trial was being conducted, fruit fly trap numbers reduced by 83%. The program has been independently assessed by experts and is recognised as the most effective Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program in Australia.
The program was invited to present at the 2022 International Symposium on Fruit Flies of Economic Importance and has won the 2022 Hort Connections National Award for Excellence, the 2021 National Biosecurity Award, the 2019 Victorian Agriculture Innovation Award and the 2019 Victorian Achiever of the Year Award.
For more information on identifying fruit fly and management strategies, head to the website.
