A key quarantine station protecting South Australia from interstate pest pressure including fruit fly has opened in the mid north.

The Oodla Wirra seasonal quarantine station, which opened this month, plays a pivotal role in checking incoming vehicles from both Queensland and New South Wales, where fruit fly is endemic.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said South Australia is the only Australian state fruit fly free and the seasonal quarantine station is an important element of South Australia’s fruit fly defences.
“As we speak, Oodla Wirra quarantine station staff are inspecting vehicles travelling into South Australia from Broken Hill to ensure fruit and vegetables aren’t being brought into our state putting our coveted fruit fly free status at risk,” said Minister Whetstone.
“The more vehicles we inspect at the state’s four quarantine stations at Yamba, Ceduna, Pinnaroo and Oodla Wirra, the better chance we have of reducing the risk of this horticultural pest coming into South Australia.
“The state’s border control activities are an essential part of the State Government’s $5 million annual spend to keep South Australia free from fruit fly and protect our valuable horticulture industries vulnerable to this unwanted pest – which in 2016-17 were worth $1.25 billion.
“The Marshall Liberal Government has further bolstered the state’s protection against fruit fly by delivering on an election commitment to install two new quarantine bins with increased signage and monitoring leading into the Riverland.”
The Oodla Wirra station is open 16 hours a day from 1 September to 30 November, and during the highest risk period from 1 December to 31 March, will be open 24 hours a day, targeting travellers at night.
Quarantine stations form part of a suite of measures South Australia has in place to maintain its fruit fly free status, including quarantine disposal bins, road signage, random road blocks, the use of sterile insect technology and community awareness.
For further information about the importance of keeping South Australia fruit fly free, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/fruitfly.