MORE than $38,000 in fines will be going into South Australian coffers after a random road block was established near Bordertown last weekend.
In accordance with the state's fruit fly policy, Biosecurity SA staff inspected 753 vehicles over the two days with 103 of those fined for having illegal fruit or vegetables on board.
Of the 103 drivers fined, 72 were Victorian vehicles and there was a whopping 124 kilograms of fruit confiscated.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said he alarmed at the number of drivers who were putting the state's horticultural industry at risk.
“Almost one in seven vehicles stopped at a random roadblock in Bordertown last weekend were found with fruit and prohibited material,” he said.
RELATED READING
“The Marshall Liberal Government is rolling out our zero tolerance approach on the border and all 103 motorists detected with illegal fruit at Bordertown will be hit with $375 fines.
“The message needs to get out not to bring prohibited fruit into South Australia and biosecurity staff will be out and about looking to catch people who do the wrong thing.
“We welcome visitors to South Australia to enjoy our wonderful food, wine and tourism experiences but they must be reminded to leave fruit at home and not put the state’s Pest Free Area status at risk."
Permanent quarantine stations are located at Sturt Highway at Yamba between Mildura and Renmark; Eyre Highway at Ceduna; Barrier Highway at Oodla Wirra and Mallee Highway between Murrayville and Pinnaroo.
Disposal bins are clearly signed and are located at:
- Glenelg Highway near Mount Gambier
- Nelson Highway near Mount Gambier
- Princes Highway near Mount Gambier
- Dukes Highway near Bordertown
- Stuart Highway at Marla
- Wimmera Highway near Naracoorte
- Old Wentworth Road at the State border
- Purnong Road near Mannum
- Goyder Highway near Morgan
- Thiele Highway near Eudunda
- Sturt Highway near Blanchetown
- Stott Highway near Sedan
- Angas Valley Road near Walker Flat
- Hunter Road near Bow Hill
- Browns Well Highway near Paruna
- Karoonda Highway near Alawoona
- Oodla Wirra (when quarantine station is closed)
- Pinnaroo (when quarantine station is closed)
- - -
- This story first appeared on the Herald.