Saturday is the final chance for Darwin residents taking part in the sentinel banana planting to collect their plants.

Judy D’Errico, State Coordinator of the National Banana Freckle Eradication Program, said almost 2500 properties across the six quarantine zones in the Top End have already collected and planted over 5700 sentinel banana plants.

“If you signed-up to the sentinel planting you can collect your plants this Saturday 21 January from Berrimah Farm or Freds Pass Reserve,” said Ms D’Errico.

“The sentinel banana plants are being monitored to check if Banana Freckle is still present in the Northern Territory.

“The sentinel plants are vital step in proving we have eradicated Banana Freckle. The plants you receive will be inspected by authorised Banana Freckle staff to check for any signs of Banana Freckle.

“In the coming months Program Plant Health Inspectors will inspect all banana plants in the quarantine zones. Over 3600 property inspections have already been completed, with no detections of Banana Freckle.

“Community support for the Program has been great. I want to thank everybody for taking part in this important biosecurity effort,” said Ms D’Errico.

Territorians participating in the sentinel program who haven’t already collected their plants should have received a recent email or SMS reminder to collect their plants.

Plants can be collected this Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Berrimah Farm or Freds Pass Reserve. Just bring your ID.

The Program is also reminding Territorians that all banana plants in quarantine areas must be covered by a permit. It is important that no banana plants or material is brought into the quarantine zones and that plants or suckers are not moved within the quarantine zones.

For more information visit www.banana.nt.gov.au or contact the Banana Freckle Hotline on 1800 771 163.

MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Whitington tel: 8999 2017