Grapevine Leaf Rust
History
History
|
Grapevine Leaf Rust was first detected in a Darwin backyard in July 2001. At the time surveying indicated that the disease was restricted to urban Darwin and Bakewell in Palmerston. The rust was identified in about 20% of the 233 vines located during that period in Darwin and in one vine in Bakewell. Further Territory-wide and interstate surveys found no sign of the disease outside the Darwin or Palmerston areas. As a result of this restricted detection and that Grapevine Leaf Rust has a restricted host range an eradication program was approved. Public tenders were called in March 2003 resulting in Drake Australia Pty Ltd and Territory Weed Management being selected to undertake surveys of all house yards in the Darwin and Palmerston areas. These surveys were designed to detect all grapevines. The information recorded was used to develop a strategy to remove all those vines that tested positive with Grapevine Leaf Rust and as many healthy vines as possible, and to monitor the remaining vines until June 2006. Two companies, Territory Weed Management and Specialist Weed Control were selected to assist in the vine removals. |
Map of Properties Surveyed
Map of Vines Surveyed
|
Property Surveys - Completed
Specially trained survey teams canvassed every one of Darwin's 29 000 properties and all 6000 Palmerston households, to locate and record all grapevines. The surveys began in April 2003 and were completed in December 2003 with all properties thoroughly checked.Survey team members were clearly identifiable by their attire (green or orange polo shirts), photo identification, calling cards and the special 'grapevine leaf' logo on their vehicles.
They asked householders and property owners to sign a form giving them permission to enter yards to locate and record grapevines.
Follow-up teams revisited properties to destroy all diseased grapevines, in keeping with the requirements of the NT Plant Diseases Control Act.
The following statistics provide a snapshot of the size of this survey in the Quarantine Area.
Properties Surveyed: 39 007 Grapevines Found: 744 Grapevines Removed: 504 (Including those healthy vines volunteered for removal) Grapevines Remaining: 241 Total number of vines infected: 286
The program's ultimate goal is to eradicate Grapevine Leaf Rust.
Click on images below to enlarge.
 |
 |
|
Darwin and Suburb Survey Areas
|
Survey Areas
|