Wanneroo reports first case of destructive shot-hole borer
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.
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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.
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