improved market access opportunities, avoided QFF management and disinfestation costs, and improved fruit quality and shelf life condition. Growers within the Pest Free Place of Production are free to ship to QFF sensitive markets in SA, WA and Tas. The PFPP has provided significant benefits to YV fruit industries, with in excess of $2 million of fruit traded from the region to QFF domestic markets in 2014/15 under PFPP certification. Funding was secured until May 2017 to continue to allow for fruit fly trap monitoring and project governance. During this time, industry representatives and government have worked together developing a transition plan so that the PFPP operates as a systems approach, is self-governed and sustainable into the future. A challenge for the region is that only those growers accredited on a PFPP arrangement have restrictions imposed upon them. This includes restrictions on QFF waste disposal, removal of QFF host plants located on the property, and restrictions on QFF host produce that can be received onto the property. These restrictions do not apply to businesses who choose not to participate in the program. These non-participating businesses and their current practices may pose a risk to the PFPP program. Horticultural businesses not participating in the PFPP will also suffer from the damage, losses, and increased costs associated with Queensland Fruit Fly if it becomes present and established in the region. Keeping the Yarra Valley fruit fly free is essential to the success of the PFPP, and the economic viability of Yarra Valley horticultural industry and the shire as a whole. The establishment of fruit fly is a real risk: There are no barriers to movement and many host crops. Degree day modelling shows that 2-3 generations of fruit fly would be expected in the Yarra Valley if it became established, making it unsuitable to marginal fruit fly habitat. Whilst not ideal for fruit fly, numbers could build up very quickly if crops were left hanging after adverse hail or rain events and appropriate orchard hygiene was not observed. Domestic and international market access opportunities Growth in Australian fruit industries is largely contingent on accessing export (domestic and international) markets that are currently restricted due to perceived risks associated with regional QFF status. The CSIRO has submitted a proposal to Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation programme to develop a generic, prototype systems approach for gaining market access by Queensland fruit fly affected commodities. If successful, the Yarra Valley may have international market access without the necessity of an end point treatment, much as Tasmania and the Riverland have today.
Dependant on survey methodology (Interviews, survey monkey or combination) Follow up survey annually, 4 weeks per year to develop, administer and analyse. Education organisations (masters students) Undertake or Commission the development of a regional QFF Communication and Engagement plan (Build on the YVPFPP communication plan) Regional Coordinator High 2017 – ongoing Implement a seasonal media program focused on danger periods for Fruit Fly. Investigate social media (linked to state-wide approach) Regional Coordinator, State Government, Local government High 2017 – ongoing 1.2a Attend local events to build fruit-fly awareness e.g. Wandin Field days, Lilydale show (evaluate), industry information days Horticulture Industry, Education institutions, Regional Coordinator High 2017 – ongoing 1.2a Nursery industry engagement to inform community at point-of-sale for host plants suggest liaising with large retailers Regional Governance Group, Regional Coordinator, State Wide Coordinator Low 2019 – 1.2a, 2.1c Links to Fruit Fly information placed on local websites Local Council Regional Coordinator High 2017 – ongoing 1.2a Objective 2: Protection- keeping the Yarra Valley Fruit Fly Free. citizen science program aimed at building community engagement and awareness Identify high risk practices in region and increase the adoption of best practice by risk creators Develop and test an early response plan for the Yarra Valley - collaborate with the YVPFPP Develop and implement a regional management plan for risk plants on Public Land Key Activity Action Rationale 2.1 Prevention, Awareness and Communication program is initiated and supported An efficient way to increase community engagement in Fruit Fly Management is to involve them in monitoring their own land or area of employment. Aim message at providing benefits to self, neighbours and the region through voluntary surveillance. Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP Develop best practice information packs appropriate to user groups (ID & surveillance techniques, response process) for the Yarra Valley – deliver Regional Coordinator, Education Institutions, Med 2018 2.1c
to community groups and local schools (alongside education module). Investigate the use of a computer app for ID requests (share with other regional coordinators) request ID tools from DEDJTR’s online training module DEDJTR Encourage land owners/managers to monitor for fruit fly and damage in their gardens - develop and implement a procedure for reporting and responding (checklist of what land manager has to look for & actions to take) Regional Coordinator Med 2018 2.1c Map the sentinel traps, include future traps, including emergency kit traps. Record and map reported detections from the community. Develop a procedure to notify stakeholders. Regional Coordinator, Auspest check, DEDJTR Med 2018 2019 2.1c Build local skills in Queensland Fruit Fly Identification among volunteers. Train volunteers to check sentinel traps to compliment cost of manually checked sentinel traps Regional Coordinator, Education Institutions Med 2018 2019 2.1c Purchase and distribute response kits that include baits, traps, MAT and extra sentinel traps in case of a detection in the endemic zone or an incursion in the PFPP zone. Regional Coordinator, Regional Governance Group, AgVic Chemical Standards Branch Med 2018 2019 2.1c Key Activity Action Rationale 2.2 Increase the adoption of best practice by risk creators Identified risk sources such a fruit coming in to be packed from fruit fly infested regions need to implement best practice management for fruit fly to reduce the risk of fruit fly establishment Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP Identify risk sources and develop best practice management information to manage risk in collaboration with stakeholders. Regional Coordinator and Valley Fruit Fly Regional Governance Group, YVPFPP High 2.1a,2.1b,2.1c GIS mapping and deployment of sentinel at identified sites. Consider smart traps which take photos at intervals e.g. boundary areas Regional Coordinator High started 2.1a,2.1b,2.1c
Key Activity Action Rationale 2.4 Support detections activities and market Involve industry in the development of an early response plan to prevent the establishment of Queensland Fruit Fly in the Yarra Valley - cannot be citizen science to support market access Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP PFPP protocol trap monitoring in the YVPFPP to facilitate export market access (PPFP program to pay for traps on farms) YVPPFP and Regional Coordinator High 2017 ongoing 2.1a,2.1bxx Key Activity Action Rationale 2.5 Removal of risk plants Prevent the planting of host trees and remove risk plants from public land Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP Develop regional management plan for risk plants on public lands. Possible council register. Advice for council workers on host plants. Local Council, Regional Coordinator, DELWP, VicRoads, State government agencies. Med 2018 Started in 2017, ongoing 2.1c, 2.1d Removal of risk plants on public land Local Council, DELWP, VicRoads, State government agencies Med 2018 Started in 2017 ongoing 2.1c, 2.1d Prevent planting of host by reviewing planting programs to identify risk trees Local Government Med 2018 Started in 2017 on going 2.1c, 2.1d Plan for abandoned orchards and unwanted trees in Home Gardens Regional Coordinator, Med 2018 Started with council in 2017, ongoing 2.1b Objective 3: Collaboration and Coordination of Yarra Valley Fruit Fly response 3.1 Linking to national programs 3.2 Support the activity of the Regional Governance group Key Activity Action Rationale 3.1 Linking in to national and state programs Establishing what groups know about Fruit Fly including CSIRO, Fruit Fly CRC, SIT Plus Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP
Link to Measham’s social research program to learn best approach to reach these stakeholders. Link with Masters students engaged with Box Hill TAFE Regional Coordinator, Education Institutions Med 2018 ongoing 1.4 Link to YVPFPP LINK TO GROWER GROUPS (non PFPP) Regional Coordinator, YVPFPP High 2017 ongoing Link to other regional coordinators and the Statewide coordinator to ensure up to date with current work in Fruit Fly Regional Coordinator, Statewide coordinator High 2017 ongoing 1.4 Key Activity Action Rationale 3.2 Support the activity of the Regional Governance group Ensuring that the Regional Governance group is engaged in the delivery of the regional plan to all relevant stakeholders Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP Support the group to understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to the plan Regional Governance Group Chair High 2017 ongoing 1.3 Organise and document meetings of the group for circulation in conjunction with the Chair Regional Coordinator High 2017 ongoing 1.3 Objective 4: Advocacy and awareness of the Yarra Valley Regional Fruit Fly Action plan’s importance and benefits 4.1 Advocate for the regional plan with key stakeholders Key Activity Action Rationale 4.1 Advocate for the Yarra Valley regional plan with key stakeholders Key stakeholders know about the plan, its importance and benefits Key tasks Responsible Priority rating Due date Alignment SWAP Build awareness of the Plan amongst key stakeholders including Parks Victoria, Victorian Roads, MP’s, DEDJTR, Dept Sec, VFF Regional Governance Group Chair Med 2018 1.3 Build awareness of the Plan amongst external stakeholder groups and neighbouring communities linked to the Yarra Valley geographically or commercially. Provide copies of Regional Coordinator Regional Governance Group Med 2018 1.2 1.3 1.5