Riverina Citrus

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Riverina Citrus - About Us

Free Offer to Shire Residents 

Residents in the Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera Shires are currently receiving free offers to remove or lop any backyard fruit trees (citrus or soft fruits) with their Rate Instalment Notices.  

All three Shires are in the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone, and along with Riverina Citrus and Industry & Investment NSW, they are combining to offer the free removal/lopping service to residents in the interests of keeping the area free of fruit fly. 

“Our fruit fly status directly benefits residents because they can actually grow and eat many fruits and vegetables without the fruit fly menace causing havoc and destroying the fruits of their labour, Riverina Citrus Fruit Fly Awareness Officer, Jeanine Bird said. 

“A fruit fly outbreak can change all that,” Mrs Bird said. 

“Outbreaks cost growers millions in terms of lost markets
and the additional treatments required. They cost jobs
which flow on to the community as a result of the
industries supporting and supported by citrus growers.” 

“Furthermore, an outbreak can cost Councils because they
have to deep-bury all household waste in the event of an
outbreak, which takes valuable dollars away from other
worthwhile community projects,” she said. 

"We want residents to always remember to pick fruit
when it's ripe and make sure it's never left on the
ground.  Fruit that is to be discarded should first be
sealed tightly in a plastic bag, placed in the sun to bake
for three days, and then disposed of in the normal
household rubbish.

“It’s easy to remember - just ‘Bag, Bake and Bin’,”
said Mrs Bird.  

Residents in Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera Shires
can phone Riverina Citrus on 6962 4333 to get the
ball rolling.

25 January 2010