Councils waiting to hear how tree pest will be managed
The government announced last week it would be moving to a management strategy to control PSHB as it was 'no longer technically feasible' to eradicate the pest.
The tiny beetle, which burrows into trees and infects them, was first detected in 2021 and since then has infected around 4800 trees in the metropolitan area.
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Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development deputy director general Mia Carbon said the National Management Group had determined eradication could no longer be achieved due to a number of factors. GEN Press conference update on the bio-security response to an invasive beetle pest (Polyphagous shot-hole borer) at Hyde Park. Mia Carbon of DPIRB and minister John Carey. Credit: Iain Gillespie / The West Australian
'Determining factors included the difficulty in detecting and controlling new borer infestations at an early stage before the pest can reproduce, and the current lack of effective chemical treatments available for killing the borer,' Dr Carbon said.
'Ongoing eradication efforts would require the removal of a significant number of trees from Perth's urban canopy and, given the biology and behaviour of the pest in the WA environment, are unlikely to be successful long term.'
Town of Victoria Park mayor Karen Vernon said the town was disheartened by the news the government had given up pursuing eradication of PSHB and was not informed of the plan to transition to the management phase prior to the announcement.
'However, throughout this crisis we have maintained that the response should be evidence-based and led by experts, whilst actively and transparently engaging community stakeholders, including local government,' she said.
'The town has a 20 per cent canopy target in line with its Urban Forest Strategy and is diligently pursuing this goal in the face of coinciding challenges, including a drying climate, hotter summers and continued loss of canopy.
'Adding the continued presence of PSHB to this mix poses yet another serious threat to our urban canopy and ecology.
'The decision to move from eradication to management raises significant concern over the funding and resources required by the town to take on this additional responsibility whilst also achieving our own greening targets.' Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon said Credit: supplied / RegionalHUB
Ms Vernon said the town was 'eagerly waiting' more details on the transition plan.
'It's disappointing that over a week after DPIRD announced the transition, DPIRD staff are not ready to engage with and mobilise the community in the next stage of the response,' she said.
The town had to remove three green fig trees and prune another at Read Park on Albany Highway thanks to the invasive pest.
Ms Vernon also said the DPIRD had cancelled its attendance at the town's upcoming community planting event, saying that they need more time to be ready to 'field community questions on the new direction'.
The City of Vincent recently had to remove at least 300 trees affected by the borer from Hyde Park. Works at Hyde Park to remove trees infested with the polyphagous shot-hole borer. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian
Mayor Alison Xamon said the city would like to work with the State Government in developing the new management strategy.
'Losing trees is a last resort and we need to ensure that we keep as many trees as possible,' she said.
'We will continue to work with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State Government to ensure our polyphagous shot-hole borer-infested trees in our parks are managed appropriately and treated where appropriate.
'We encourage the State and Federal governments to provide extra funding for local governments to effectively manage the borer and replant lost trees in response to this national biosecurity crisis.'
A City of Perth spokesperson told PerthNow the city was waiting on advice from the DPIRD about how the proposed management phase will be implemented.
In May last year the city committed more than $1 million to fight the pest, with parks currently under treatment including the Supreme Court Gardens, Council House Gardens, Stirling Gardens, Totterdell Park and John Oldham Park.
'In the meantime, we'll continue to action our tree-first approach which prioritises tree preservation through early intervention to minimise the impact of PSHB and protect our urban forest,' the spokesperson said.
'As a result of our proactive approach to date, less than 40 city trees have been removed due to PSHB since the outbreak began in November 2022.'
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