Fruit Fly
Riverina Citrus -
Citrus in the Riverina
Community Awareness Officer Update
I have prepared a flier which will be going out in the rates notices of three shires – Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera. The focus of the flier, which will go to over 16,000 households, is to advise of the fruit tree removal/lopping program which is available FREE to householders. Therefore, if you have rental properties where trees are not being looked after, or not required, take the opportunity to avail yourselves of this free service. Maybe you know of friends or relatives who would benefit? You simply need to ring the office on 6962 4333 to start the ball rolling.
The fliers also ram home the significance of picking ripe fruit,
the Bag, Bake and Bin message, and telling friends and relatives
not to bring fruit into the areas.
We would like to thank the Councils for their support on this.
It’s important, as these small efforts have the potential to save
Councils $millions. In the event of an outbreak, they are required
to deep-bury all their waste, and they can’t compost. Mitcham
(in SA)estimated it cost them around $90,000 in 2006-7, so
Councils should be keen to do everything possible to avoid an
outbreak in these financially uncertain times.
Please take the time to THANK any Councillors you run across,
as they may not be aware that this is happening, OR that it
could cost them megabucks if there’s an outbreak. By thanking
them, you are making them aware of it, and encouraging them
to participate in other programs we might need to embark on
from time to time. Again, while it’s just a little thing that may
seem insignificant, it’s something that doesn’t cost us anything
except a little time, anyone can do it (so the more the merrier!),
and it may save an outbreak.
We are currently working on some uniform and comprehensive
literature/signage for Tourist Information Offices, Caravan Parks,
Back Packers and other sites/groups of interest. Other States have
this information that tourists need, so, whilst not reinventing the
wheel, we will be bringing some uniformity to what’s available.
This will be followed on by visiting such groups, leaving them signage
and all available literature (current and new), and speaking to interest
groups.
Yours in Community Awareness,Jeanine Bird.
