Greater Shepparton City Council will remove a large number of unmaintained fruit trees from roads, reserves and parks across the region after receiving funding via Agriculture Victoria’s Regional Action Plan Grant 2019-2020.
The removing of the trees will assist in mitigating fruit fly in the region.
Horticulture contributes a vital $268m to Greater Shepparton’s economy, and Council is working closely with the Victoria Fruit Fly Governance Group to ensure the continued growth of our horticulture industry.
Council Director Sustainable Development Geraldine Christou said residents may see Council staff and contractors removing unmaintained fruit trees from around our municipality on both residential and rural roads into the New Year.
“Council plans to begin this work as soon as possible, using contactors and Council staff to remove unmaintained fruit trees both in rural and residential reserves and streetscapes of our municipality,” she said.
“The work will continue over several months throughout the municipality. Council is very grateful for Agriculture Victoria’s support in mitigating fruit fly in Greater Shepparton and protecting our horticultural industry.”
Agriculture Victoria’s Regional Action Plan recognises fruit fly management is a shared responsibility.
The five-year state-wide Action Plan focuses on three areas strengthening fruit fly management:
- State and regional coordination and collaboration
- Improved fruit fly management in commercial orchards and communities
- Improved access to intrastate, interstate and international market access and trade opportunities
The Action Plan can be found on the .
