Quarantine Zones Established in South Perth to Contain Queensland Fruit Fly
Two quarantine zones have been officially declared across several suburbs in South Perth as authorities intensify efforts to control the spread of the Queensland fruit fly, considered one of the world's most damaging fruit pests. The action comes in response to early detections of the insect in surveillance traps set by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in the South Perth and Como areas.
Defining the Quarantine Boundaries
DPIRD chief plant biosecurity officer Vincent Lanoiselet stated that additional trapping has enabled officials to more precisely define the quarantine boundaries. A "red zone" has been established within a 1.5-kilometre radius of the outbreak, encompassing more than 7,000 properties across South Perth, Como, Kensington, Bentley, and East Victoria Park.
Residents and businesses within this red zone must adhere to strict regulations:
- All ripe and ripening fruit and fruiting vegetables must be picked from host plants, including collecting any fallen produce.
- Any fruit not consumed or processed must be solarised—sealed in a black plastic bag and left in direct sunlight for seven days—before disposal in general waste bins, not FOGO bins.
- Homegrown fruit and vegetables are prohibited from being moved within or outside the red zone, though cooked, frozen, dried, or preserved produce is exempt.
Buffer Zone and Community Response
An "orange zone" has also been declared, extending 15 kilometres from the outbreak area to serve as a protective buffer. In this zone, host fruit and vegetables cannot be moved outside the area unless they have undergone appropriate treatment.
Dr Lanoiselet confirmed that DPIRD response teams are already on the ground, conducting inspections and applying organic baits on both residential and commercial properties. "DPIRD is working with residents, industry, and businesses to make them aware of the important quarantine measures to help us eradicate Qfly," he said.
He emphasised the critical need for community cooperation: "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."
Threat and Identification
The Queensland fruit fly poses a significant threat to both commercial horticulture and home gardens, impacting over 300 types of fruit, including fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, chillies, and capsicums. The flies are approximately 6 to 8 millimetres long, with a reddish-brown body, yellow markings, a dark brown abdomen, and clear wings.
Dr Lanoiselet highlighted the importance of a unified approach: "Working together—industry, government, and community—gives us the best chance of eradicating this pest as quickly as possible."
Resources and Reporting
An interactive map and a comprehensive list of impacted plants and treatment requirements are available on the DPIRD website. Residents can report sightings of the fruit fly via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or by contacting DPIRD's Pest and Disease Information service at padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.
