Western Australia has once again been declared free of Queensland fruit fly following a major biosecurity effort to remove the destructive pest from Perth’s southern suburbs. This marks the tenth successful eradication in WA and highlights the strong commitment of our communities, businesses, industry and government to protecting the State’s unique environment and food supply.

Queensland fruit fly is considered one of Australia’s most serious horticultural pests, capable of infesting a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. An uncontrolled outbreak could severely impact backyard gardeners, local growers and the fresh produce industry. The successful eradication is a significant win for WA, ensuring that our fruit trees and produce remain healthy and market access for local growers stays secure.

The coordinated response included:

• More than 12,000 properties inspected across affected suburbs.
• Thousands of monitoring lures deployed to detect and track the pest.
• A rapid and collaborative effort from residents reporting sightings, complying with movement restrictions and supporting inspection teams.

This effort demonstrates the power of community action. Without the cooperation of local residents and businesses, the eradication would not have been possible.

The timing is also a valuable reminder as we approach National Biosecurity Week (25–31 August), which encourages all Australians to play an active role in safeguarding our environment and food security. Simple actions like checking fruit trees regularly, not moving homegrown produce out of quarantine zones, and reporting unusual pests can make a big difference.

For more information about Queensland fruit fly, how to recognise it and what you can do to help, visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) website.