Home gardeners and property owners across the Goulburn Murray Valley have the opportunity to take part in the Queensland fruit fly online community survey and share what they know about fruit flies and options to control the pest.
The survey findings will help identify opportunities to support and educate the community about fruit fly control and management.
Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program Acting Coordinator Penny Aston said there is also the added bonus of completing the survey and going in the draw to win a ‘Why Leave Town’ gift card valued at $500 by going to the gmv-qldfruitfly Facebook page.
The short survey takes about 2 minutes to complete and is accessible through the program’s website at www.fruitflycontrol.com.au.
“We’re asking property owners and anyone with a veggie garden, fruit tree, or interest in gardening to take a couple of minutes and complete the survey,” Ms. Aston said.
By participating in the survey, community members can play an active role in informing and identifying important educational activities that are aimed at supporting the community in managing fruit flies.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program was established in 2017 and brings together government, industry, and the community to apply control and education measures across the whole region.
“Fruit fly control needs to be carried out by the whole community to be effective and relies on the program’s capacity to increase community awareness, education, and engagement about fruit fly management,’’ Ms. Aston said.
The program includes the council areas of Moira, Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie, Campaspe, and Berrigan. Program partners include Cobram and District Fruit Growers Association, Fruit Growers Victoria, Summerfruit Australia, Lions International, and McPherson Media.
“Effective fruit fly control by the whole community is essential in protecting our region’s multi-million dollar horticultural industry, our regional economy, and the lifestyle our region is so well known for,” she said.
“By asking the community to complete the short online survey, it allows us to understand the community’s knowledge of fruit flies and where we should be concentrating our education efforts to make sure we are doing everything possible to effectively manage the pest,” Ms. Aston said.
Fruit fly control must be carried out by the whole community to be effective and relies on the program’s capacity to increase community awareness, education, and engagement about fruit fly management.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program is supported by the Victorian Government.
The survey is open to all residents in the Goulburn Murray Valley region and will close on April 30, 2023. The survey is available through the below link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TFT55P7.
For more information:
Fruit Fly Control
fruitflycontrol.com.au