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Greater Sunraysia Region Action Plan for Queensland Fruit Fly 2018-19.

1. Purpose of the Regional Action Plan 2018-19The Regional Action Plan (RAP) 2018-19 builds on the 2017-18 RAP that summarised the key activities required to continue reducing QFF numbers in the Greater Sunraysia region with the long-term vision: That the Greater Sunraysia region may achieve pest free area status by implementing targeted and financially sustainable programs for the benefit of industry and the broader community.

The RAP will be used to consult with key stakeholders in encapsulating the broader collaborative response effort within the region and will be the primary tool for community groups to support the efforts in combating Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF). Eligible agencies seeking Victorian Government grants to address specific community issues will need to demonstrate the alignment of the proposed activity against the RAP.

This plan aligns with the Victorian “Managing fruit fly in Victoria Action Plan 2015-2020”. Specifically, the action contained in this plan fall in line with five of the action areas of the Statewide plan

Action 1.1 Develop partnerships between industry, community and government to ensure communication, cooperation, feedback and sustainable long-term funding for fruit fly management

Action 1.2 Develop and implement a joint communication and engagement program (including a central information hub.

Action 1.3 Develop and implement regionally specific fruit fly action plans which all stakeholders contribute to and own.

Action 2.1 Review and implement the current best practice control and surveillance options for fruit fly management.

Action 2.2 Conduct the required research and development to improve fruit fly control and surveillance options.

Action 2.3 Establish and maintain an adequate regulation and compliance system to ensure responsibilities are met.

2. BackgroundThe Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GS PFA) was established in 2007 to enable domestic and international market access under Pest Free Area certification arrangements for key horticultural commodity groups against QFF and Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly). The establishment of the GS PFA was a cooperative effort by Victorian, NSW and Commonwealth Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture Innovation Australia and the three key horticultural industries within the Sunraysia region - citrus, stone fruit and table grapes.

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The total area of the GS PFA is approximately 1.7 million hectares encompassing land from both the states of New South Wales and Victoria as well as six local shires (Figure 1). It is renowned for high value horticultural crops including citrus, table grapes and stone fruit. For management purposes the GS PFA is categorised as four zones (Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill and Barham). All zones have mixed horticulture with a total of approximately 8,000 ha of table grapes, 6,800 ha of citrus and 2,500 ha of stone fruit. Mildura and Barham produce mostly citrus; Robinvale produces mostly grapes; and Swan Hill produces mostly stone fruit. In 2012-13 the combined estimated export market value of these crops from this region was $563 million1. Other produce commercially grown within the GSPFA include Almonds, Avocados, Herbs, Olives, Vegetables and Wine Grapes.

Queensland Fruit Fly Bactrocera tryoni (QFF) is a destructive horticultural pest as it disrupts trade and timely access to international and domestic markets increasing on-farm management costs and market access costs to horticultural industries and producers. Impacts include, but are not limited to, domestic consumer reticence to local fruit, increased cold storage and transport costs due to in-transit cold treatment and fumigation, increased cost of compliance to market protocols and significantly reduced market access opportunities.

An increasing number of QFF incursions and outbreaks within the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GS PFA) and a lack of funding necessitated the voluntary suspension of the GS PFA by the Victorian and NSW Governments in April 2014. The loss of PFA status has had a significant impact on producers who must now use pre-harvest chemical treatments and/ or bilaterally approved emergency post-harvest cold treatments for national and international market access.

1DEDJTR Fact Sheet ‘Proposal to implement an industry development order for the Greater Sunraysia PFA’.

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Figure 1. Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area in Victoria and NSW.

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In light of the lack of suitable alternative risk management measures for fruit fly into key Asian markets and an industry determination to regain PFA status, a new management model for the GS PFA was endorsed by industry with a successful voting process in August 2014. The Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area Industry Development Committee (GS PFA IDC) was established under the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area Industry Development Order 2014 (Appendix 1) and the Agricultural Industry Development Act (1990). The IDC was formally ratified through Parliament on 10th December 2014 for a term of four years.

The Victorian Minister of Agriculture has given the responsibility for management of QFF suppression and eradication programs to the regions. The Victorian Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) and NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) continue responsibility for surveillance and compliance programs.

This plan builds on works and achievements of the GS PFA IDC funded by industry charges collected from citrus, stone fruit and table grape producers in the Greater Sunraysia production area and Victorian Government funds.

3. Objectives of the plan The objectives of this plan are:

Objective 1: Reinstatement of the pest free area status for the GS PFA

Objective 2: Build and maintain stakeholder confidence

Objective 3: To develop a sustainable and effective organisation

Objective 4: To develop a financially stable funding model

The logic linking these objectives together is presented in Table 1 below.

Key Operational Activities are outlined in Table 2.

Objective 1 is delivered through Key Operational activities 1-6 Objective 2 is delivered through Key Operational activity 7 Objective 3 is delivered through Key Operational activity 8 Objective 4 is delivered through Key Operational activity 9

Reduced QFF infestations in non-rural areas helps reduce management cost in horticultural areas

Fruit and Vegie hygiene program to reduce QFF hosts implemented by whole community.

Sterile Fly technology introduced to reduce fruit fly numbers.

Mass trapping to reduce QFF numbers in urban areas implemented by whole community.

Key Outcome

Intermediate outcome

Preliminary outcomes

Key Activities:Creating community knowledge & awareness,Providing the community with the necessary skills,Creating a positive community attitude & realistic aspiration.

Communication messages

Let’s work together to stop fruit fly.

Sunraysia is Victoria’s fruit bowl.

Mass trapping makes a difference.

Good fruit tree and vegetable garden hygiene

is important. It’s a year-round effort.

Remove old trees (Encourage removal of

trees especially in rental scenarios and in hotspot

areas).

Compliance ProgramCompliance controls

implemented for neglected commercial

properties & rural households,

Sound regulations in place.

Trapping support Program

Procurement of traps Assembly of traps,

Recruit and train volunteer

organisations, Oversee the

distribution process urban households,

Reconcile and evaluate. distribution data.

Achieve Area Freedom Status = No fruit fly detections in the PFA for 12 months

Evaluation of program progress

Monitoring PFA surveillance trapping Grid.

Measuring adoption/awareness of key actions in sub set of community.

Dynamic trapping program implemented to manage “HotSpot” infestations.

Maintaining Stakeholder confidence

Engagement of stakeholders in development and progress of PFA program.

Sound management of funds collection and expenditure under Government order.

Organisational financial and governance auditing.

Maintain adequate organisational resources and highly capable staff.

Table 1. Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area Industry Development Committee Program Logic

Hot Spot Response Program

Hot spots identifiedMass trapping implemented

Promotion and uptake of free Tree removal

program in urban areas.

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4. Reinstatement of the pest free area status for the GS PFA The operational aim of the RAP is to conduct the largest Area Wide Management (AWM) program that it can sustainably afford. AWM will be implemented in an attempt to reduce the QFF population. Local area management is intended to keep the pest population below economic threshold (Dhillon et al., 2005). This program will be a systems-based approach, that will aim to decrease QFF numbers across the PFA and enable eradication programs to be conducted, ultimately allowing for formal reinstatement of QFF area freedom in the long term. The importance of continually researching and evaluating new technologies and methods for fruit fly control is pivotal to the success. The plan is complemented by a complete education and awareness campaign.

The key components of the program are;

Mass Baiting. A male and a female trap hand delivered to 28,000 Urban residences across the PFA targeting seasonal fluctuations in adult populations.

Hot Spot Identification, areas of high fly activity using the government surveillance traps. Dynamic Trapping. Significantly increase bait traps around identified Hot Spots. Hygiene. Property investigations, awareness and education of land owners to clean up fruit

and supported by a tree removal program. Targeted compliance and surveillance activities. Media and communications programs targeted at commercial growers, the general public

residing within the PFA and the travelling public, using all relevant media and local resources.

Previous Strategic Plans and past government investment has concentrated on education and control in urban areas. Urban areas across the PFA have developed into QFF oases, with many different types of fruit trees and vegetable gardens with produce maturing throughout the year providing ongoing fruit/vegetables for QFF to breed and survival. This is especially evident during the winter months, where both urban and irrigation areas provide a micro climate of warm and moist conditions, with an abundance of continual protein sources as opposed to the natural dryland climatic zone experienced across the PFA, where establishment and colonisation is unlikely (Dominiak, Mavi & Nicol, 2006). Urban residents are generally less informed on the importance of host tree hygiene, control, and control methods for QFF and the adverse impact of the pest on the wider horticultural region and local economy. While it may affect their liveability it generally does not affect their livelihood.

While the focus of the activity is in urban areas the beneficiaries are clearly the horticultural communities. Commercial growers generally have a single crop type and are equipped to manage QFF populations within their respective grower regions. Commercial growers are experienced and understand their obligations in undertaking pest management and control activities on their properties whilst abiding by maximum residue limit requirements for their production. Many commercial growers within the PFA are adopting on-farm eradication operations and cool store treatments as part of their production and market access practices.

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Table 2: Key operational activitiesOutcome One: Reduced QFF infestations in non-rural areas helps improve management in horticultural areasKey Operational Activity

Rationale Scope Actions

1. Mass trapping program

Traps placed in each urban household garden across the GS PFA region will significantly reduce the number of fruit flies detected in the PFA surveillance trapping grid.

Traps rolled out three times per year to 28,000 households.a. Spring (July/August), protein-based

traps as food source attractant to target emerging females.

b. Summer (October/November), Pheromone based traps to target males and protein-based food source traps to attract male and female flies.

c. Autumn (February/March), Pheromone based traps to target males and protein-based food source traps to attract male and female flies.

1.1. Current mapping data collated to define quantity of traps and rollout areas (i.e. mapping of the trapping grid.)

1.2. Trap assembly.1.3. Trap Delivery by community groups. 1.4. Trap Installation by residents.

1.5. Conducting and evaluating communication campaigns encouraging community participation

1.6. Supporting communication with promotion of real time monitoring data from the PFA surveillance trapping Grid.

1.7. Trial Baiting methods in selected urban areas to support future trapping program – includes trial implementation and evaluation.

8. Dynamic Trapping Program

Dynamic trapping is an effective way of significantly reducing QFF populations in an identified area.

Dynamic trapping requires significant resources and will be implemented at the discretion of the Regional Coordinator.

2.1. Techniques to improve QFF surveillance and monitoring.

2.2. Review of surveillance trapping Grid data.

2.3. In-field inspections and supplementary trapping to identify

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source.2.4. Dynamic trapping across identified

hotspot area with additional traps increasing the density to 80-100 traps per Ha.

9. QFF host Hygiene program

Removal of unwanted fruit and vegetables provides less host opportunities for QFF in the region.

Encourage community members to remove unwanted/ excess fruit and vegetables from house yards. Including removal of host trees and plants.

9.1. Mapping non-commercial host, perennial plant locations. (Private and public land).

10.1. Perennial host plant removal program in non-commercial locations (Private and Public land).

11.1. Update list of host species.

12.1. Communication messages – 12.1.1. Proper disposal of

unwanted fruit and vegetables and

12.1.2. Enhanced backyard QFF control options.

13.1. Ensure local planning strategies consider QFF host risks by planting of non-host varieties on roadside and other open space areas.

14. Sterile fly technology

Sterile fly technology is an emerging technology that with reduced regional infestation and improved economic viability of the technology will be considered as an additional method of reducing QFF population.

Threshold for sterile fly technology is being developed by research being funded by Hort Innovation.

14.1. Review existing SIT control trials in local environment.

Outcome Two: Community to become self-sufficient at knowing when and how to control QFF.

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Key Operational Activity

Rationale Scope Actions

15. Education of landholders in adopting control strategies

Assisting community to become self-sufficient at knowing when and how to control QFF.

Working with strategic partners to build knowledge on the management and eradication of QFF within the communities in its region. More detailed information is contained in the “GS PFA committee Strategic Communication Plan”).

5.1. Maintain new web site with contemporary data.5.2. Production of short video clips Promotion of

seasonal activities through social media5.3. Workshops/presentations/conferences/ field days

and markets providing education QFF management options with key stakeholders e.g. community groups, growers, Agricultural suppliers etc.

5.4. Review the scope of crops able to register for a “Property Information Code” (PIC).

5.5. Information sheets/brochures on QFF management options for urban and commercial growers.

5.6. Promote seasonal “backyard jobs” to be done each season to manage QFF via website and social media and traditional mediums.

5.7. Continue the STOP campaign associated with Mass Rollouts.

5.8. Continue Mass media campaign looking at educating home owners on tree hygiene.

5.9. Targeted promotion of tree removal services e.g. rental properties, early & late varieties.

5.10. Develop and deliver an educational lesson plan aimed at Primary School age children.

5.11. Investigate and trial new trapping and monitoring technologies in improving on-farm QFF management decision making.

5.12. Information package including brochures to be left at sites when no-one is home that explains intent, purpose of visit and where to get more information.

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Outcome Three: Meet community expectations of compliance with the programKey Operational Activity

Rationale Scope Actions

6. Compliance program

The success of the program is dependent on achieving a high level of implementation across the community. An effective compliance program will help achieve that level of implementation.

Implementation of compliance measures contained in Council By-laws and market requirements.

6.1. Identification of non-compliance issues for referral to relevant Local or State Government agencies.

6.2. Promote consistent and realistic council By-laws regarding the control of QFF across the region.

6.3. Protocols developed for QFF management for commercial industries.

Outcome Four: Build and Maintain Stakeholder confidenceKey Operational Activity

Rationale Scope Actions

7. Community engagement program

Community and industry engagement in the implementation of the Area Wide Management program is critical to its successful delivery.

a) Engage the wider community to support and assist the eradication and other programs.

b) Recruit local grower champions to assist in selling the message.

c) Align objectives and strategies with local government to champion and support the project through the host reduction plan and a peri urban eradication program, whilst promoting consistent messages and branding.

d) Building strategic relationships with State and Federal Government to implement legislative and policy change that supports the reinstatement program

7.1 Development and maintenance of GS PFA Strategic Communication Plan.

7.2 Implementation of GS PFA Strategic Communication Plan.

7.3 Development of “Greater Sunraysia Regional Action Plan for QFF management 2020”.

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outcomes and information flow.

Outcome Five: Develop a sustainable and effective organisationKey Operational Activity

Rationale Scope Actions

8. Organisational Governance

Developing efficient and effective systems and processes to deliver high quality service and meet stakeholder expectations.

Ensure all project governance and reporting requirements are met.

8.1. Build risk management strategies into project plans.

8.2. Develop and implement an effective stakeholder management software system.

8.3. Maintain project financial and auditing compliance requirements.

8.4. Maintain adequate administration support for project delivery.

Outcome Six: Financial sustainabilityKey Operational Activity

Rationale Scope Actions

9. Financial leverage In addition to the judicial management of funds the opportunity to leverage other investment should be exploited.

Secure adequate funding for community, industry and government supported programs.

9.1. Make relevant applications to funding sources to assist development of the program.

9.2. Seek in-kind support agreements with regional, State or National partners.

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5. Build and maintain stakeholder confidenceWorking collaboratively with key stakeholders and community groups with assist with coordinating QFF management efforts across the region and avoid duplication maximise the effectiveness and efficiency.

For the purposes of this Regional Action Plan the relevant stakeholders are described in the following table.

GENERAL COMMUNITYAll residents within the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area.This includes:

community advocates (service clubs; schools) commercial as well as small scale producers (home gardeners, roadside stalls, farmers

markets, nurseries); land managers (real estate agents, public land managers, local government); distributors (packing houses, transporters, fruit processors); service providers (chemical retailers, consultants, agronomists, nurseries); visitors (itinerant pickers, tourists).

The purpose of having an all-encompassing target audience reflects the joint approach that our community needs in order to eradicate fruit fly. It is not a responsibility that lies predominantly with any one group. Therefore, the majority of effort should be invested in this broad-based group.

RESIDENTSRural and urban house blocks with fruit trees.

Many residents across Sunraysia have one or a number of fruit trees in their back yards/house blocks. Not everyone is aware of their responsibilities in relation to QFF. The high number of fruit trees in residential areas (rural and urban) has the potential to significantly impact any IDC actions taken to regain pest free area status. Special consideration to target rental properties where management of the property is done via an agent or land owner.

INVESTORS / COLLABORATORS

GROWER INVESTORS: ALL GROWERS: INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CITRUS, STONE FRUIT AND TABLE GRAPE GROWERS.

This group votes on the activities funded by future grower charges and need to be confident these funds are spent efficiently and effectively.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT; MEMBER FOR MALLEE.

Provides support for the regional program and identifying future investment opportunities.

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT: DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOBS TRANSPORT AND RESOURCES (DEDJTR)Key investor. GSPFA must report directly to the Minister for Agriculture regarding activities undertaken and progress made toward regaining pest free area status.

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Assists with landowner education and compliance.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MILDURA RURAL CITY COUNCIL, SWAN HILL RURAL CITY COUNCIL, GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL (ALL VIC), RIVER MURRAY COUNCIL (PREVIOUSLY MURRAY SHIRE COUNCIL AND WAKOOL SHIRE COUNCIL) BALRANALD SHIRE AND WENTWORTH SHIRE COUNCIL (NSW).

Murray River Group of Councils Victoria.

Support the regional program, assist in mass rollouts and tree removal activities. Co-ordinated approach to public education and awareness with local councils.Enforcement of local by-laws & State government legislative requirements for landowners in urban and rural areas respectively.Local government is seen by the general public as the most trusted source of information by the general public. Local councils can provide an avenue to connect with landholders (urban + growers) and promote the program within each municipality NSW GOVERNMENT: NSW DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (DPI)

Assists with landowner education and compliance. Seeking future investment opportunities to support activities in NSW.

POTENTIAL GROWER INVESTORS (ALL OTHER GROWERS)Wine grape growers, Dried fruit growers, Avocado growers, Seasonal vegetables, and Organic growers etc.

As large industries across the Sunraysia region, the knowledge and actions of this group in relation to QFF can have significant impact on the desired outcome (i.e. regaining pest free area status). The GSPFA needs to convince these groups to support the GSPFA approach by participating in raising levies to contribute to fruit fly response.

SCHOOL STUDENTSPrimary and secondary school students across Sunraysia.

Education campaigns within primary and secondary schools across the region could help address awareness and understanding of the fruit fly issue, with the potential that students could help educate their parents about appropriate fruit fly management.

Monitoring of the surveillance grid in the GSPFA is operated by DEDJTR. The IDC utilises the surveillance data to determine operational activities.

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6. Measurement of success

Evaluation programRationale Key evaluation activitiesAchieving area freedom status requires an absence of fruit fly detection in the PFA protocol trapping Grid for 12 months.

Progress towards this target by reducing the number of fruit fly in the region helps increase the effectiveness of commercial fruit fly control and compliance programs

Monitoring of the PFA surveillance trapping grid will be an absolute guide to the progress of the program towards both of these targets.

Monitoring of the PFA surveillance trapping grid.

Evaluation of surveillance data to determine significance of impact for each/ combined control measure i.e. mass trapping; tree removal etc.

Monitoring of Key operational activities and support activities will help manage the roll out of the program.

Monitoring of delivery of traps to target households including mapping of locations to determine trapping densities (i.e. Number traps/ha).Targeted assessment of the implementation of traps in urban gardens (ie. Number of traps adequately installed).Number of non-commercial, perennial host plants removed from Public and private land as a proportion of trees identified.Monitoring the roll out of communication plan.Number of landowner visits.Number of landowner enquiries.

Community and industry engagement in the implementation of the Area Wide Management program is critical to its successful delivery.

Evaluate grower and community support for the whole “Area Wide Program”.