Anyone imported bonsai into Tasmania recently?

[Ninegrain]

Hi,

my wife is potentially getting a job in Tasmania and if so we would move down from Darwin. I am wondering if anyone has imported bonsai into Tasmania recently and if they could tell me about their experience, what they had to do, how customs handled it etc.

My bonsai collection consists of fairly well developed figs (3 species) and Chinese elms. None of these are on the banned species list. From what I can tell, if I bare root them and pack their roots with an inert material to keep them moist then it should be possible to bring them in as long as they are also clear of any pests that may be hanging on. I would most likely drive them down over a period of 5-10 days, depending on if I do it solo or if my wife and son do the drive with me.

Would defoliating them to help ensure there were no bugs and to also help with water stress while crossing the desert raise any eyebrows with customs because they then couldn't inspect them to determine if they have any fungal or bacterial diseases?

I assume I would have to submit the "Notification of Intention to import plants" prior to arriving at the boat?

Thanks in advance!

Kyle

[Ninegrain]

Oh, and how is it with passing through other states? I assume I also need to declare them as I enter SA and VIC even though I am only passing through?

Cheers,
Kyle

[shibui]

Although there is notional quarantine between states there is effectively no checks between NT, SA and Vic. Parts of SA have fruit fly exclusion s o the do check for fruit but as far as I know are not interested in plants as such.
Tas is a different matter. They are very serious about quarantine and check all incoming by sea or air. I know at least one nursery in Melbourne does have a permit to send plants over there but not sure of the details.
You will need to check with Tas Ag dept (or whoever) to find out what they require and if an individual has any chance of getting plants through.
Hope your figs like cooler temps. Chinese elms will love it down there.

[Ninegrain]

Yeah OK, thanks Shibui. I am going to call them tomorrow, just started looking into it today. The wording on their website does make it seem like its possible.

Yeah I am a bit concerned for my figs. I would certainly set up a green house for them. It could be within their best interests to try and re-home them though as if we do this move then we will probably stay there for a fair while, potentially "indefinitely", whatever that means these days...

[Paul W]

Gee going from Darwin to Tassie,quite a big difference,been to both,not sure about figs down there but then again it depends where you are going,on the coast may be different,and windy,good luck

[Ninegrain]

Yeah it would certainly be from one extreme to the other. Especially this year, we haven't really had a proper monsoon so its been hot as hell since September. I'm not from Darwin so shouldn't be too massive a shock to the system. But then again, I'm not from Tasmania either...

[TimS]

You will need to contact department of agriculture for specific requirements; but I know that plant material does need treatment(s) before entering Tasmania

It may have to go through accredited treatment centres as well, possibly have all soil removed, but yeah without talking to the department for the specific species and circumstances it’s impoosiblr to say what exactly the process is.

[Leigh Taafe]

I know a guy who moved a very large collection from the Gold Coast to Tasmania not so long ago.
Cheers
Leigh

[itsfullofstars]

How do humans even live in darwin?

[MJL]

How do humans even live in darwin?

By running away from crocs .... check this out https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-03- ... i/10934606

Ok not exactly Darwin....


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[Tleaf]

Hi Kyle, how did you go with your move to tasmania? Did you manage to take your bonsai trees? If so, What did you end up having to do?
Cheers