The Discussion Paper on the Proposed Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy 2021-25 was sent to +120 key stakeholders on 24 September 2020. Thirty-two written submissions were received during the six week submission period. Subsequently, an online engagement session was held on 19 November 2020.

The Engagement Report: Discussion Paper for the Proposed Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy 2021‑2025 (attached), briefly summarises high level feedback from written submissions and the online session, and indicates Agriculture Victoria’s intention to amend the Strategy, as appropriate, taking into account stakeholder views.

In summary, the key findings from the entire consultation process to date includes:

• Stakeholders are strongly in favour of government funded area wide management programs for Queensland fruit fly (QFF), including maintaining the three Regional Coordinator positions in Goulburn Murray Valley, Yarra Valley and Sunraysia.
• Stakeholders reinforced that managing fruit fly off-farm (i.e. in urban/peri-urban areas) is critical to keeping grower properties free from QFF.
• There is some misunderstanding about the government’s investment strategy for established versus exotic species.
• Stakeholder preference is for a long-term, sustainable funding model built into business as usual rather than a four-year funding cycle. 
• Stakeholders believe that they are unprepared for the transition to industry-led management of QFF.

Since the virtual session, and to address stakeholder queries, individual meetings were held with key stakeholder groups to discuss their specific concerns with the proposed Strategy. Written responses have been provided directly to these stakeholders and engagement is ongoing. Should you wish to be provided with more detailed feedback, either in writing and/or through an online meeting, please contact Tara Hewitt, Manager Strategic Projects Plant Health to make arrangements (ph: 0437 296 743; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

The Engagement Report includes a timeline for future consultation. There are a number of ways you can be involved in ongoing engagement:

1. Being kept informed by regular email updates
2. Being involved in stakeholder forums and meetings

If you would like to be involved, please indicate your preference(s) via email to Tara Hewitt (details above).

Thank you for your participation to date and we look forward to continuing to work with you on finalising Victoria’s Fruit Fly Strategy, the Strategy Implementation Plan and associated projects.