Latest news with #DPIRD
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
Hundreds of trees to be chopped down at beloved Perth park
At least 300 trees are set to be cleared from the Hyde Park islands as part of a blitz to eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on Wednesday said it was working with the City of Vincent to remove up to 300 host plants — including native and non-WA native trees — from the lake's two islands over the next four to six weeks. DPIRD would not confirm how many infected trees had been removed since works began on May 19. 'The only WA native species on the Hyde Park islands are Melaleuca rhaphiophylla and Eucalyptus rudis,' a spokesperson told The West. 'Other species being removed include eastern states Casuarina spp. Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp. and non-native woody weeds including Erythrina x sykesii and Ficus sp.' The PSHB — which is native to southeast Asia — is a small beetle which burrows into trees and infects them with a fungus that slowly kills them from the inside. The only way to eradicate the beetle is to remove the infected trees. The only way to eradicate the beetle is to remove the infected trees. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian 'DPIRD is continuing to work in close collaboration with the City of Vincent to manage PSHB in Hyde Park, as part of the nationally funded and coordinated emergency bio-security response,' the spokesperson said. 'PSHB surveillance and management will continue in Hyde Park to protect the high value fig and London plane trees.' Thirteen infested trees at Hyde Park have already been removed, with another 33 pruned to their limit. A further 45 have been treated with insecticides as part of an ongoing chemical trial. Thirteen infested trees at Hyde Park have already been removed, with another 33 pruned to their limit. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said she was 'deeply saddened' to hear the beetle had burrowed its way onto the lake's islands. She said the city would plant up to 4000 new plants and mature trees on the lake's islands. 'Losing the tree is the last thing anyone wants to see, but DPIRD have determined this precaution is necessary to stop the borer spreading to other healthy trees at the park,' Ms Xamon told The West. 'Following DPIRD's works, we will be acting quickly on our three-year restoration program which has been formed in partnership with industry experts. She said the city would plant up to 4000 new plants and mature trees on the lake's islands. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian 'About 4000 new plants, that will be resilient to the borer and climate change, will be planted on the islands this winter including mature trees. 'We previously restored the eastern island in 2012, which gives us confidence that our program will see the islands flourish again.' It comes just days after the State Government announced local councils could apply for the first round of its WA Tree Recovery Local Government Grant Program. Councils can receive up to $1140 in funding for each tree that is removed as a result of PSHB, but the City of Vincent is yet to apply for funding. PSHB has been confirmed in more than 80 suburbs across Perth since it was first detected in August 2021.
West Australian
20 hours ago
- General
- West Australian
Locals urged to report invasive grass putting native species under threat
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is urging Kununurra residents to be on the look out for gamba grass, a voracious weed which threatens native grass species and elevates fire risk. Recent routine surveillance by DPIRD detected several immature gamba grass plants, also known as andropogon gayanus, along several roads near Kununurra. Regional biosecurity co-ordinator Lindsay Strange called on the community to support DPIRD's efforts to eradicate the weed by reporting sightings of the weed tussocks. 'Gamba grass is a tropical perennial grass that was introduced into Australia in the 1940s as a feed crop for cattle,' he said. 'It has become a significant weed across northern Australia due to its ability to grow to over four metres high and form dense patches which can burn at high intensity, posing a risk to flora and fauna, livestock and human life. 'There are a number of options to remove gamba grass and DPIRD has been working across the Kimberley to eradicate the weed for many years. 'While the recent detections have been removed, it's important for DPIRD to know of any new sightings of the weed so department officers can take action.' Gamba grass grows to form tussocks that are bigger, taller and more dense than native grass species and has strappy leaves that can grow up to 60cm long, with a distinctive white midrib covered with soft hairs. It also features fluffy flower heads on tall stems between April and June, depending on weather conditions, and remains green long into the dry season, when most native grasses have hayed off. Gamba grass sightings can be reported via DPIRD's MyPestGuide Reporter app or to its Pest and Disease Information Service on 9380 3080 or padis@
West Australian
3 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
At least 300 trees to be cleared from Hyde Park as part of shot-hole borer blitz
At least 300 trees are set to be cleared from the Hyde Park islands as part of a blitz to eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on Wednesday said it was working with the City of Vincent to remove up to 300 host plants — including native and non-WA native trees — from the lake's two islands over the next four to six weeks. DPIRD would not confirm how many infected trees had been removed since works began on May 19. 'The only WA native species on the Hyde Park islands are Melaleuca rhaphiophylla and Eucalyptus rudis,' a spokesperson told The West. 'Other species being removed include eastern states Casuarina spp. Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp. and non-native woody weeds including Erythrina x sykesii and Ficus sp.' The PSHB — which is native to southeast Asia — is a small beetle which burrows into trees and infects them with a fungus that slowly kills them from the inside. The only way to eradicate the beetle is to remove the infected trees. 'DPIRD is continuing to work in close collaboration with the City of Vincent to manage PSHB in Hyde Park, as part of the nationally funded and coordinated emergency bio-security response,' the spokesperson said. 'PSHB surveillance and management will continue in Hyde Park to protect the high value fig and London plane trees.' Thirteen infested trees at Hyde Park have already been removed, with another 33 pruned to their limit. A further 45 have been treated with insecticides as part of an ongoing chemical trial. City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said she was 'deeply saddened' to hear the beetle had burrowed its way onto the lake's islands. She said the city would plant up to 4000 new plants and mature trees on the lake's islands. 'Losing the tree is the last thing anyone wants to see, but DPIRD have determined this precaution is necessary to stop the borer spreading to other healthy trees at the park,' Ms Xamon told The West. 'Following DPIRD's works, we will be acting quickly on our three-year restoration program which has been formed in partnership with industry experts. 'About 4000 new plants, that will be resilient to the borer and climate change, will be planted on the islands this winter including mature trees. 'We previously restored the eastern island in 2012, which gives us confidence that our program will see the islands flourish again.' It comes just days after the State Government announced local councils could apply for the first round of its WA Tree Recovery Local Government Grant Program. Councils can receive up to $1140 in funding for each tree that is removed as a result of PSHB, but the City of Vincent is yet to apply for funding. PSHB has been confirmed in more than 80 suburbs across Perth since it was first detected in August 2021.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hunt for rare Aussie species not seen since 1990s funded by $1 million boost
The search is on to find a rare Australian fish that hasn't been seen since 1998. Experts are using funds from a $1.13 million investment by a NSW tourism company to search a remote part of the state where it's hoped remnant populations of the Kangaroo River perch may have survived. 'There's a lot of folklore around this fish that hasn't been seen in ages and is very elusive… So the hunt is on to make sure it's still around,' Peter Chapman told Yahoo News. The company he works for, Reflections Holidays, is funding work by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPIRD) to search over 100km of the Shoalhaven River in the state's south. Funds are also being used to prevent the extinction of other native freshwater fish, 47 per cent of which are listed as threatened. Whether the Kangaroo River perch is a distinct species remains unclear. It's currently classified as a Macquarie perch, but since 1986, researchers have suspected it's unique. Throughout May this year, DPIRD senior fisheries manager Luke Pearce has been searching a hard to access stretch of the Shoalhaven River, above the Tallowa Dam, for evidence that the Kangaroo River perch survives. 'It's a really remote, inaccessible part of the world to get to. It's a really steep canyon country, so the only ways to get in are by kayak, hiking, or flying in a helicopter,' Pearce said. Pearce's team surveyed the river using eDNA testing, a process that can pinpoint the presence of animals and plants in water by detecting tiny traces of genetic material. Their work has yet to reveal the Kangaroo River perch's presence, but if a population can be found, it will be protected and used to breed up numbers again. There are two other distinct populations of Macquarie Perch, which are located around the Murray-Darling Basin and the Hawkesbury River/Blue Mountains. In the 1920s, numbers were so high, rivers ran black with them, but today the fish is extremely rare, and last year, authorities warned the species could be extinct in five years. Fishing for them is now illegal in both NSW and Victoria. Macquarie perch is listed as endangered, but if it's found to be three species, the conservation status of each would need to be reassessed. DPIRD is unsure why the Kanagroo River perch vanished, and historically, there has been very little research into the species. 'There's only a handful of records of the fish occurring and just six specimens in the museum, so we know very little about it,' Pearce said. 'We don't know what the causes were for the decline, but there are a few theories going around. They're generally linked to pathogens or diseases being brought in with fish being introduced into the catchment, but they're all circumstantial, we don't have evidence.' Declines of perch in the Murray-Darling Basin have been clearly linked to humans modifying the river system with dams and invasive fish which outcompete native species and spread disease. The population in the Blue Mountains was once thought to be largely secure because it's located in a national park, but it was significantly affected by the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires. 'By sorting out these taxonomic uncertainties, we'll be able to have a more targeted approach to each population's management and recovery,' Pearce said. 'And without the donation from Reflections holiday parks this research wouldn't be occurring.' Reflections Holidays hopes its donation will inspire other Australian companies to invest in the environment. 'I think all companies should be doing this. Not necessarily native fish, that's our thing. But really it's the role of all of us to protect the environment,' Chapman said. He explained there was money already available to study more photogenic and cuddly species like koalas, but not for fish. 'There's a whole heap of environmental issues that go unspoken and untalked about, largely because they're under the surface of the water,' he said. 'We see ourselves as in a key place to raise awareness, educate, and put money behind sorting out issues related to waterways. As soon as we found out some native fish species were in such bad shape, we were keen to work out how we could get behind them.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
West Australian
22-05-2025
- West Australian
DPIRD issues warning to recreational fishers to comply with demersal scalefish rules in West Coast Bioregion
Authorities have issued a reminder to follow the rules after Fisheries officers seized a vessel in Geraldton this week following the discovery of an allegedly illegal haul of demersal fish. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has warned fishers about the importance of complying with recreational fishing rules surrounding demersal scalefish in the West Coast Bioregion. The reminder comes after DPIRD fisheries officers found 46 demersal fish on board a vessel at the Geraldton boat ramp on Monday, May 19 — a figure well above the permitted daily bag limit of two per fisher and a boat limit of four. Three men from Geraldton were on board the vessel, according to a DPIRD spokesperson. Recreational fishing of demersal scalefish is only permitted for six-and-a-half months of the year in the West Coast Bioregion (from Kalbarri to Augusta). These fish include pink snapper, WA dhufish, baldchin groper and breaksea cod. Boat-based fishing closures are put in place from February 1 to March 31, August 1 to September 15 and October 15 to December 15 as part of the management plan to support the recovery of demersal fish stocks. DPIRD director regional compliance Mid West Michael Kelly warned fishers who engaged in illegal fishing practices posed a significant threat to the vulnerable fisheries. 'Among the fish found on the vessel were 24 pink snapper and 10 baldchin groper. The haul also included two dhufish, seven redthroat emperor, two coral trout and a wirrah cod, well exceeding the daily bag limit for demersal scalefish,' he said. Mr Kelly said the vessel of the offender had been seized and investigations were ongoing. 'While many recreational fishers in WA do the right thing to catch a feed for themselves and their family, there's zero tolerance for those who breach the rules,' he said. The rules differ for the Abrohlos region and recreational fishers are encouraged to become familiar with bag and possession limits before they take their boats out. The recreation fishing rules can be found in the Recreational Fishing Guide on the DPIRD website. Anyone with information on illegal fishing activities is asked to call the FishWatch reporting line on 1800 815 507 or lodge it via the online form on Crimestoppers .
