Shot-hole borer invasion: Perth homeowners soon to be responsible for paying for tree management
Landowners will soon have to pay to have borer-infested trees removed from their properties.
Trees ravaged by the pest will no longer need to be removed as part of major changes to combat the polyphagous shot borer infestation that has concentrated in Perth’s western and riverside suburbs since 2021.
The Department for Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed this week that tree owners will have the option to retain, prune or remove affected trees; this as part of a deliberate shift in approach from an unsuccessful attempt to eradicate the pest to simply managing its presence.
“As with any other existing plant pest or disease, it will be the responsibility of (the individual landowner) to manage their own trees and decide on management options, supported by DPIRD’s advice and education programme,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
“The national intervention will no longer carry out tree removal or pruning within the ‘management zone’.”
It comes after the National Steering Group met this week to finalize a new action plan after determining earlier this year that it was no longer technically possible to eliminate the cannonball borer.
The plan includes expanding Perth’s main quarantine zone from Friday to cover almost the entire metropolitan area, from Kwinana to Wanneroo and east to the outskirts of Ellenbrook, Kalamunda and Armadale.
While damage control will be the sole focus in the so-called management area, DPIRD will have a more relevant presence in the containment zone, outlying orchard areas and semi-rural areas such as Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Mundaring and Gidgegannup.
Within the containment zone, officers will continue to identify and prioritize the pruning and removal of infested trees to further minimize the spread of the wolf.
DPIRD has confirmed that trees in the Perth suburbs identified for pruning or removal during the previous eradication phase can still be dropped off at the government department free of charge.
The government is also creating a new team of experts to advise, educate and train people, industry and local governments on drilling management.
“They will offer training, technical workshops and community education, as well as an integrated pest management program to help prepare for long-term management,” said Mia Carbon, the department’s deputy director for overall biosecurity and emergency management.
“The team will also work with arborists, nurseries and the horticultural industry to ensure they have the latest tools and knowledge to manage borer.”
Movement restrictions on fuelwood, green waste and unprocessed plant material still apply as measures to protect WA’s horticultural and regional areas.
Dr Carbon said biosecurity was a shared responsibility and everyone’s support was needed to protect Perth’s tree canopy and the state’s horticultural industries.
“Early detection and management of high-risk infestations, particularly in the containment zone, remains critical to managing the spread and impact of shot hole borer,” he said.
“By working together, we will have the best chance of limiting the spread of the wolf and minimizing its impact on our tree canopies and valuable horticultural industries.
“We are as committed as ever to working on practical options to manage this complex pest.”
People should continue to report suspicious sightings via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or call the PSHB information line on 9368 3080.
