The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is calling on residents in Fremantle and surrounding suburbs to help stop any potential spread of the exotic pest Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).
A Quarantine Area covering 8.6 square kilometres has been put in place for parts of the suburbs of East Fremantle, Fremantle, North Fremantle, Palmyra and Bicton following the confirmation of PSHB in a maple tree in East Fremantle.
PSHB is a tiny borer, exotic to Australia, and is considered both an agricultural and environmental pest due to its wide range of host species including avocado and citrus, native and amenity trees.
Department chief plant biosecurity officer Sonya Broughton said residents within the Quarantine Area could not move any wood or green waste that could act as hosts for the borer from their properties.
“This includes bark, potted plants, firewood, tree prunings, logs, plant cuttings, mulch, timber, wood or wood chips,” Dr Broughton said.
“PSHB does not affect grass, so lawn clippings can be disposed of as normal.
“Any gardening machinery or equipment used for tree lopping, gardening, mulching, wood chipping or handling green waste must not be moved outside of the Quarantine Area unless it has been cleaned of all green waste material and decontaminated.
“If residents need to dispose of wood and garden waste they must do it through an approved council collection only.”
Department staff are carrying out trapping and inspections of host plants on nearby residential trees, street trees and verges close to where the borer has been detected.
Dr Broughton said it was it was vital everyone worked together to eradicate this destructive pest.
“The borer attacks a wide range of trees, however, the top five of most importance to check are maple, oak, plane, coral tree and avocado,” Dr Broughton said.
“It is important that departmental officers have access to private premises with host trees and plants to conduct inspections.
“Residents in the Quarantine Area will receive a card in their letterbox asking that they contact us to arrange access for this important surveillance work.
“Officers will be following appropriate operating procedures to ensure safe working practices in relation to COVID-19 for both staff and the community.”
A map of the Quarantine Area, full list of tree hosts and more advice to residents is available on the department website agric.wa.gov.au/borer
The Quarantine Area will remain in place initially for six months.
Residents who suspect they have borer damage to trees should make a report to the department through the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or via the department’s MyPestGuide™ Reporter app (Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store), or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au
Media contacts:
Lisa Bertram/Megan Broad media liaison
+61 (0)8 9368 3937