Fruit flies have become such a big problem in Broken Hill over the last three to four years, the Council has asked the state Government if the city and surrounds can rejoin the Sunraysia Exclusion Zone.
The issue came up at this week’s full Council meeting and councillors are confident the request will be granted, which will mean funding for spraying and baits to control the flies.
When Menindee was removed from the exclusion zone – it was no longer considered a major fruit growing area – Broken Hill was also removed from the zone.
Mayor Tom Kennedy said at the council meeting, the fruit fly issue, “has been a problem over the last few years and it’s getting worse every year”.
“Every year that you do not address the issue it gets a little bit worse because you then have breeding banks of flies.
“Where is was only a handful of trees it is now to the point that it is every fruit tree in Broken Hill is affected by fruit fly and that will continue to get worse unless it is addressed, council has acknowledged that.
“We have spoken to Dugald Saunders’ office [State Agriculture Minister], and they are very interested in doing what they can to follow up with the fruit fly.
“It’s maybe too late to get on top of it this year but Broken Hill City Council in partnership with whoever is needed will ensure that going into the future we do address the problem with fruit fly.
“We can’t have Broken Hill end up being a place where fruit fly not only destroys our fruit but breeds up to point where we then become a danger to other areas,” Cllr Kennedy said.
Cllr Ron Page said both he and his sister had lost all their fruit this year.
“This problem has been here far too long and has to be dealt with. Not just by us being responsible but we need to get back into the system,” Cllr Page said.
Council’s General Manager, Jay Nankivell, confirmed the council had formally requested to be reinstated into the Sunraysia Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone during a meeting with the Minister.
“The meeting was quite positive as the Minister for Western NSW is also the Minister for Agriculture, and fruit fly biosecurity sits within his portfolio.
“So, he sounded quite positive and confident that we are going to see an outcome, in regards to that, early in the New Year,” Mr Nankivell said.
