Voluntary tree replacement pilot planned for Waikerie

A pilot program for the voluntary replacement of backyard fruit trees is in development and projected to be rolled out in Waikerie later this year.

The program will be trialled in the Waikerie outbreak area with the potential to be implemented across the broader Riverland area at a later date.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is partnering with the Loxton Waikerie Council to develop and implement a pilot project and accompanying education program to improve the management of non-commercial fruit trees.

The aim of the pilot program is to reduce fruit fly detections in the Riverland as well as complement the broader fruit fly eradication efforts already happening in the community.

This will be the first time that such a scheme has been trialled in South Australia.

Most fruit fly outbreaks start from unmaintained backyard fruit trees. Owners may find it difficult to pick, collect and check their fruit and this is where the program will be able to help.

The program will be completely voluntary and there will be no removal of backyard trees unless the landholder applies for the program.

Landholders in the Waikerie red outbreak area will have the opportunity to request to have their unwanted backyard fruit trees removed without charge and offered a replacement tree or shrub that is not such a fruit fly risk.

This is a great opportunity for people who have backyard fruit trees they can no longer maintain to apply for the program for removal and replacement – at no cost to them.

The program, and more information, will be available to Waikerie residents in red outbreak areas later in the year.