'We almost have to start over': Banana growers to lose entire plantation a second time as disease outbreak grows

Since first detected in May, banana tree freckle has spread to over 40 properties in the Top End region of the Northern Territory.Key points: Banana freckle has spread rapidly in the Northern Territory's Top End region since its detection in May Under a new plan, the government will remove all banana plants and planting material properties affectedHe will also continue monitoring to determine the source and extent of the spread Ann Murphy and Alan Petersen's farm, Rum Jungle Organics.

The only commercial farm taken in outbreak, they now face the prospect of losing their entire banana plantation for the second time in a decade, as the Northern Territories government takes action to tackle the disease.

"It's pretty devastating to do it a second time," Ms. Murphy said.

"It was hard enough to understand the first time, but you can't believe it happened a second time.

"We lost time, we lost productivity, we lost revenue, we've lost customers, and we almost have to start over."

Banana freckle affects the fruit and leaves of banana trees. (NTDPI)

Yesterday the Northern Territories Government released a contingency plan to tackle the Top End Banana Fire. freckle outbreak.

As per the plan, all banana plants and plant material on properties where banana freckle has been detected will be removed.

Disease free properties will not see any plants removed and the government will continue to monitor to determine how far the disease may have spread.

"What we are trying to do is [to] protect as many plants as possible, in properties that are not affected by banana freckle", NT Chief Plant Health Officer Anne Walters said.

"The decision was really around, how do we get rid of banana freckle [with ] as little impact as possible on our community and on our producers.< /p>

"What we want to do is have a great result for the industry, which is to eradicate banana freckle, but at the lowest cost to our community."

Unlike 2013, this time plants will only be removed from properties where infections have been recorded.(Carl Curtain)

The detection of the spot banana freckle - a fungal disease a residential property in Batchelor this year marked its first Australian appearance in several years after it was thought to have been eradicated in 2019.

Since then it has spread to 42 properties in the Top End, mainly in the Batchelor and Rum Jungle areas.