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Perth Now
3 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Concerns arise over future costs to manage invasive pest
The cities of Stirling and Joondalup are among several councils concerned they'll be left to foot the bill on managing the invasive polyphagous shot-hole borer after the State Government announced it was shifting away from eradicating the destructive pest. The National Management Group met last week and decided the eradication of the shot-hole borer in WA is no longer achievable, based on expert advice. Since being detected in 2021, the invasive pest has forced the removal of more than 4700 infested trees to date. The WA Local Government Association says it is deeply disappointed by the decision to shift from eradication to management and is calling for a long-term funding commitment from the State Government. 'WALGA has long been concerned about the effectiveness of the State's PSHB response and has been calling for greater transparency, research into control methods and more community education and engagement,' WALGA president Karen Chappel said. 'This failure will have significant implications for local government, who are already spending millions to control PSHB and increase tree canopy, and will now face the additional ongoing costs of managing or removing infected and dying trees in public parks and streets.' Following last week's decision, a new national Transition to Management plan is now being finalised, supported by a $26.5 million allocation in the State Budget to urban tree canopy and Treebates programs in a bid to manage the impact of the shot-hole borer. The State Government is hoping to slow and minimise the risk of it spreading beyond local government boundaries and the metropolitan area. The invasive species was first detected in Perth in 2021. Credit: Pia Scanlon In the City of Stirling, where more than 108 trees have been cleared because of infestation, officials are concerned about the potential costs and impacts ahead. 'The city shares WALGA's disappointment about the transition to PSHB management and its concern about the future funding responsibility for that management, particularly after the 18-month transition period due to start on 1 July 2025,' a spokesperson said. 'Clear support and direction are needed from the State Government for the local government sector to be able to plan and deliver effective management of PSHB to protect the Perth-Peel urban forest beyond the transition period.' In the City of Joondalup, where the pest hasn't yet caused widespread damage, CEO James Pearson said the council had been working closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to monitor and manage risks but warned that given the future spread of the pest, management costs could escalate rapidly, putting extra financial strain on the city. 'There will be financial implications for the city if local governments become responsible for managing PSHB-infected trees in public parks and streets, particularly as the future spread of PSHB is unknown,' Mr Pearson said. 'The city will undertake an audit of its street tree population to identify locations of the current reproductive hosts. The city will continue to plant trees not identified as PSHB reproductive hosts and will investigate preventative treatments.' On Friday, the City of Wanneroo confirmed the pest had reached its jurisdiction after reporting its first confirmed case The State Government has committed an additional $62.6m to biosecurity response activities from 2024-25 to 2027-28, along with $2.17m to fund research projects, including chemical treatments aimed at limiting the spread of the shot-hole borer. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis believes the State has a strong foundation to manage the pest moving forward, as the infestation remains confined to the metropolitan area. 'We will continue to look for alternative solutions by supporting local scientists to undertake more research under WA conditions,' Ms Jarvis said. 'The more we can learn about this pest, the better equipped we will be to protect and support our State's tree canopy and agricultural industry.'
Perth Now
5 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Councils desperate for funding as burden of borer passed on
Multiple Perth council leaders have called out the State Government for passing on the 'significant burden' of managing the invasive shot-hole borer species, claiming local governments urgently need more funding. The State Government last week gave up on its failed polyphagous shot-hole borer eradication plan, saying that it is no longer a feasible goal, and will switch to a 'management strategy'. But the new approach has received backlash from local governments, who say the bug burden has been dropped on their doorstep, without warning. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Speaking to PerthNow, Subiaco mayor David McMullen said the City of Subiaco, where 169 trees have already fallen foul of the borer and had to be removed, was disappointed at the decision to stop the eradication fight. Shire of Peppermint Grove CEO Don Burnett Credit: MaryMills / Kalgoorlie Miner 'As the decision is reportedly based on science, only other scientists can really unpack the correctness of the conclusions and assumptions,' he said. 'But for residents such as those in our community, we are left asking whether our State Government could or should have done more to achieve eradication while it still remained a technical possibility.' In leafy Peppermint Grove, where the axe has been taken to more than 200 trees, shire chief Don Burnett echoed Mr McMullen's concerns and the fallout posed for local councils. 'Trying to co-ordinate a management program for PSHB across 30 metropolitan local governments, all with differing priorities, budgets, resource capacity and differing degrees of impact by PSHB, is not an effective way to try and control the borer,' he said. The Town of Cambridge, like Subiaco and Peppermint Grove, said their staff were not consulted prior to the State Government change and announcement. Subiaco Mayor David McMullen. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian More than 2000 trees have been cut down across the western suburbs, with six of the area's seven local government districts experiencing rapid tree deaths caused by the invasive beetle species. A $7.2 million Tree Recovery program funded by the State Government recently opened up to local governments to help pay for replacement projects, nearly a year after it was announced. The program provides up to $1140 per PSHB-affected tree removed, covering the cost of one primary replacement tree, two additional trees, and associated establishment items. But WA Local Government Association president Karen Chappel said more funding was needed for local governments now that eradication efforts had ceased. 'This failure will have significant implications for local government, who are already spending millions to control the polyphagous shot-hole borer and increase tree canopy, and will now face the additional, ongoing costs of managing or removing infected and dying trees in public parks and streets,' she said. Mr McMullen said Subiaco was already 'very concerned' about the financial implications the change of response will have. 'While limited funding is currently available for tree replacement, there is no funding being offered for ongoing management, treatment and corrective actions,' he added.' Hyde Park wher trees are bieng removed for Polyphagous shot-hole borer Credit: Andrew Ritchie / The West Australian 'More funding is urgently needed. Otherwise, we will see a significant burden passed on to local governments, as well as private landholders, who will not all have the resources, expertise or the means to undertake sufficient corrective actions.' The Opposition blamed the change of direction on an inadequate early response to the borer from the Government. 'This is an abject failure on behalf of the State Government, they have raised the white flag,' Opposition agriculture spokesman Lachlan Hunter said. 'Hindsight is a wonderful thing, if this act was properly responded to with proper funding then maybe we could have stopped the infestation. 'We have some of the most productive citrus and avocado farms in the nation and if this shot-hole borer contaminates places just 20 to 30km around our Perth foothills, it'll see devastating effects on the horticulture and agriculture industry.'
West Australian
6 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Destructive shot-hole borer reaches Perth's far northern suburbs
The destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer has reached Perth's far northern suburbs, with the City of Wanneroo now reporting its first case. News of the detection comes just over a week after the state government announced it would transition from eradicating to managing the pest, which was first detected in Perth in 2021. The City of Wanneroo said they're working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to implement a Tree Management Plan for the affected tree - which is in the suburb of Wanneroo - and will keep a close watch on the area in the coming weeks. Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the city is committed to taking swift action to prevent the pest's spread. 'The PSHB could significantly impact the City of Wanneroo's urban canopy if it were to become established here,' she said. 'It's important that we all check our trees for signs and report any suspected sightings, to allow DPIRD to investigate. 'Protecting and increasing our canopy cover and vegetation is a key goal for the City, as set out in our Urban Forest Strategy.' As Perth's most northern metropolitan local government, the City of Wanneroo covers 685.8 square kilometres, stretching from Girrawheen to Two Rocks. In the neighbouring council, the City of Joondalup has also confirmed three PSHB cases on council-managed land and is continuing to work with DPIRD to these infestations. Following the decision to end eradication efforts, the State Government has committed an additional $62.6 million to biosecurity responses and $2.17 million to research projects to help curb and treat infestations, including chemical treatments aimed at managing the spread of the shot-hole borer. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis believes the State has a strong foundation to manage the pest moving forward, as the infestation remains confined to the metropolitan area. 'We will continue to look for alternative solutions by supporting local scientists to undertake more research under WA conditions,' Ms Jarvis said. 'The more we can learn about this pest, the better equipped we will be to protect and support our State's tree canopy and agricultural industry.' For more information on PSHB and the signs to watch for, DPIRD is encouraging residents to visit their website and use the MyPestGuide app to report any suspected sightings.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Wanneroo reports first case of destructive shot-hole borer
The destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer has reached Perth's far northern suburbs, with the City of Wanneroo now reporting its first case. News of the detection comes just over a week after the state government announced it would transition from eradicating to managing the pest, which was first detected in Perth in 2021. The City of Wanneroo said they're working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to implement a Tree Management Plan for the affected tree - which is in the suburb of Wanneroo - and will keep a close watch on the area in the coming weeks. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the city is committed to taking swift action to prevent the pest's spread. 'The PSHB could significantly impact the City of Wanneroo's urban canopy if it were to become established here,' she said. 'It's important that we all check our trees for signs and report any suspected sightings, to allow DPIRD to investigate. 'Protecting and increasing our canopy cover and vegetation is a key goal for the City, as set out in our Urban Forest Strategy.' As Perth's most northern metropolitan local government, the City of Wanneroo covers 685.8 square kilometres, stretching from Girrawheen to Two Rocks. In the neighbouring council, the City of Joondalup has also confirmed three PSHB cases on council-managed land and is continuing to work with DPIRD to these infestations. News of the infestation comes just a week after the state government announced it would be transitioning from eradication to management of the pest. Credit: Pia Scanlon / The West Following the decision to end eradication efforts, the State Government has committed an additional $62.6 million to biosecurity responses and $2.17 million to research projects to help curb and treat infestations, including chemical treatments aimed at managing the spread of the shot-hole borer. WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis believes the State has a strong foundation to manage the pest moving forward, as the infestation remains confined to the metropolitan area. 'We will continue to look for alternative solutions by supporting local scientists to undertake more research under WA conditions,' Ms Jarvis said. 'The more we can learn about this pest, the better equipped we will be to protect and support our State's tree canopy and agricultural industry.' For more information on PSHB and the signs to watch for, DPIRD is encouraging residents to visit their website and use the MyPestGuide app to report any suspected sightings.
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Councils waiting to hear how tree pest will be managed
Perth councils are waiting to hear from the State Government on how it will manage the spread of the polyphagous shot-hole borer, with one claiming it had not been told before the government announced it was changing tack. 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. Your local paper, whenever you want it. 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.'
