Moving Plants: What Can and Can’t Cross State Lines
Dec 16, 2019
Moving interstate or internationally is hectic, but it becomes more challenging if you are a botanist, horticulturist, or a plantsman. You have to pack your beloved plants and move them to a new territory. Therefore, it becomes imperative to research and get in touch with authorities to know about state restrictions about plants that can cross the state you are entering.
When relocating to Sunshine Coast from any other country or Australian state, you must be aware of the plants you can or cannot move to/within the state of Queensland. The best way to know is to consult varied renowned Sunshine Coast removals companies for assistance. They can provide support along with solutions for relocating to different suburbs of Sunshine Coast such as Eumundi, Noosa Heads, Buddina, Mooloolaba, and Alexandra Headland, among others.
However, if you first want to research yourself, here is a guide for moving plants in Sunshine Coast. Keep reading to know what can and cannot cross Queensland state lines and other useful information.
The Risks of Moving Plants in Sunshine Coast
Movement of plants within, into, and from Queensland is restricted to control the spread of diseases, pests, and weeds. These external contaminants are treated as threats to the natural flora and fauna of the state. Hence, the Queensland Government takes the ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach for all its cities along with Sunshine Coast. The rules apply to everyone, including travellers, business owners, and people seeking residence.
This interstate quarantine is essential as control measures are expensive. It takes a lot of resources to maintain infestations by pests or stop the spreading of plant diseases. A breakout is dangerous as it can affect state businesses, livelihoods, markets, industries, jobs, and much more.
Some of the priority pests and diseases found in Sunshine Coast and Queensland crops are mentioned as follows:
• Asian and African citrus psyllid
• Banana: bunchy tops, freckle, and sigatoka
• Capsicum whitefly
• Halyomorpha halys
• Coffee mealy bug
• New Guinea, Oriental, and Mediterranean fruit fly
• Pierce’s disease
• Panama disease
• Papaya ring spot disease
• Vegetable leaf miner
• Melon Fly
• Cocoa pod and European borer
The state’s government takes strict measures for controlling the spread of these pests and diseases. It has set up exotic plant pest hotline and biosecurity Queensland to help report sighting of these problems in crops by natives, travellers, commercial growers etc.
What Can You Take?
Queensland has a high number of plant species, approximately 9,400. More than 50 new species of plants are discovered in the state annually and added to the inventory of native flora. At present, over 33% of the species are native plants of Queensland. While moving, try to ensure you move plants that are indigenous or grown in Sunshine Coast. Some of the native species of plants found in the state and Sunshine Coast are Wattles, Eucalypts, Lilly Pilly, Callistemon, and among others.
Each plant and its produce are subject to scrutiny according to the biosecurity restrictions of Queensland. You cannot be certain of which plants you can take. Therefore, for every plant or product, you must contact the
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. You will need to create an inventory of your plants and obtain interstate and intrastate certification for moving plants. To get the certificate, contact a biosecurity accredited certifier or inspector in Sunshine Coast or Queensland. Even your Sunshine Coast removals company can help you follow due process by guiding you to contact the concerned authorities.
What Can You Not Take?
When relocating to Sunshine Coast, keep in mind the entire Queensland state is a biosecurity zone for the following plants:
• Bananas
• Mangoes
• Sugarcane
• Grapes
There are strict rules to control the movement of soil, plants, or items that were or may have been in contact with these plants. A few of the restricted and invasive plants prohibited in Sunshine Coast are non-indigenous acacias, witchweed, spiked pepper, prickly pear, Mexican Bean Tree, honey locust, candleberry myrtle, bitterweed, and much more.
The entire list of restricted and prohibited invasive plants with botanical names is mentioned on the Queensland Government website for business. It is essential to understand your responsibility while moving with plants. Even your hired professionals for
Affordable removals in Sunshine Coast will ask about them and urge you to get proper certificates for a smooth move.
What Can You Do?
To make your move less stressful mentioned below are things you can do.
• Fulfil your general biosecurity obligation.
• Research about everything related to the indigenous plants, and how your move can affect them?
• Take steps to reduce the chances of introducing risky plants or plants produce to the quarantined areas of Sunshine Coast and Queensland.
• Ensure you take advise of the accredited certifier and acquire proper certifications with documents.
• While booking removals in Sunshine Coast inform them of the inventory of plants or plant products you need to be moved.
• Be prepared to leave your plants behind in case you don’t get a certificate for them. Arrange for someone to take care of them or responsibly dispose them off.
• Also, be prepared to let go of produce during border entry, as it is common for authorities to confiscate or throw away produce that comes under restricted or invasive plants lists.
• Try to make sure you don’t deal with prohibited plants before and after moving.
Take Professional Help When Moving Plants
Moving plants is subject to rules and regulations under the
Biosecurity Act 2014. If you are confused about any aspect of the act, consult an expert. Make sure you talk to an inspector or certifier in Sunshine Coast to tell you the law related to moving plants and procedure to obtain necessary documents.
Furthermore, choose the right removals in Sunshine Coast to help you manage the move of your plants and other belongings with ease. If you are moving interstate, ensure the company you hire can perform removals in Sunshine Coast, have the right packing materials, years of experience, proper techniques, and adequate resources to manage the move. Also, be there when the professionals’ packs and loads your plants. Be practical and supportive of the state’s rules and regulations. Also, as a responsible person, ensure you follow due procedure.
Since the regulations for moving plant vary from state to state, make sure you do a thorough research about the moving company. Many removals companies refuse to transit plants with the rest of your belongings from one city to another. So, contact your removalists and clear all your doubts before finalising the day of your relocation. Also, keep the important packing tips in mind and make a list of plants you can’t move as this will save you a lot of time and make it easy for you to plan things without any chaos.
Endnote
It is common to assume moving plants is easy. However, it requires special care and adherence to the state rules and regulations related to the movement of plants. So, do research, get certificates & approvals, and
hire a quality removalists. Ask experts to help you through the challenging time, and be prepared to put the risk control measures over your emotional attachment to plants that are restricted in Sunshine Coast according to Queensland’s legislation.