An overflowing quarantine bin a real stinker for tourists visiting South Australia

FRUIT and vegetables overflowing from a quarantine bin has appalled tourists travelling into South Australia and made a mockery of the state’s strict biosecurity rules, a motorist says.

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FRUIT and vegetables overflowing from a quarantine bin has appalled tourists travelling into South Australia and made a mockery of the state’s strict biosecurity rules, a motorist says.

Robert Harris contacted The Advertiser horrified at the state of one of the disposal bins on New Year’s Eve, located on the Princes Highway near Mount Gambier.

“Whilst I were stopped to deposit a piece of fruit I had absently carried from Victoria, other travellers stopped ... and were appalled at the situation,” Mr Harris said.

“It was clearly evident that the bin had not been cleared over the entire holiday period resulting in the massive overflow from the bin onto the surrounding area.”

An overflowing fruit fly quarantine bin on the Princes Hwy between the Victorian Border and Mount Gambier pictured about 9am on December 31.

Mr Harris questioned why the bins were not checked regularly during busy periods and if the situation was similar at other quarantine stations across SA.

“The consequence to the image of South Australia, without any consideration on the impact of travellers thoughts about the Government’s true value placed on biosecurity and having quarantine bins and stations in place, is obvious,” he said.

A Primary Industries and Regions SA spokeswoman said the bins were checked regularly and would be checked and emptied again on Tuesday.

“It is encouraging to see how many people are doing the right thing and depositing fruit in the bins provided at the South Australian borders,” the spokeswoman said. “Biosecurity SA will continue to monitor the use of quarantine bins with all units located near South Australian borders.”