City of Vincent mayor urges WA Government to take lead on the polyphagous shot-hole borer crisis
The State Government has been called on to do more to manage the devastating impacts. polyphagous shot hole borerPerth mayor claims lack of support means residents are forced to pay double for eradication efforts.
The City of Vincent estimates that protecting urban tree canopy from pests can cost up to $1 million per year, but believes biosecurity is the State Government’s responsibility.
Mayor Alison Xamon said councils faced significant financial burdens and ongoing administrative costs.
“Local governments have an important role to play in responding to PSHB at the local level, but we cannot be expected to bear this huge cost and responsibility alone,” he said.
“Vincent is not alone. Managing PSHB will require millions of dollars that local governments across Perth have been asked to come up with, as well as essential local services.”
The State Government recently announced a $3.6 million local government support scheme for councils in PSHB home administrative region.
Up to $120,000 will be provided to each local government to help fund management strategies including tree removal, pruning, surveillance, community education and chemical treatments.
Ms Xamon said the funding was “still inadequate” and there was no indication whether it would be a one-off or ongoing contribution.
“Unless clear and comprehensive funding arrangements are made, it will be up to local taxpayers to foot the bill,” he said.
“These residents are already paying taxes and now they are effectively paying double for a liability that falls to the State Government.”
After removal of PSHB infested trees Hyde ParkIn May last year, the City of Vincent launched a four-year restoration plan to preserve and restore the islands. More than 17,000 PSHB-resistant native plants have been planted since April 2026.
Ms Xamon accepted Perth MHR Patrick Gorman’s election pledge of $500,000 to help improve the Hyde Park islands, describing it as an example of why other levels of government need to help.
A State Government spokesman said it was supporting local councils through grants, training and tree replacement programmes, with the response shifting to long-term management.
“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility,” they said.
“Now that the national shothole borer response is being managed and the pest is considered established in the management area, as with any other existing plant pest or disease, it is the responsibility of landowners to manage their own trees and decide on borehole management options.”
A State Government spokesman said 30 local governments would be eligible to apply for the grants and highlighted additional funding initiatives, including nearly $1 million awarded through the WA Tree Recovery Grant Scheme to plant 2700 replacement trees.
“More than $30,000 in cash rebates was also distributed to residents affected by hole borer as part of the State Government’s WA Tree Recovery Residential Rebate programme,” they said.
The representative said the Department for Primary Industries and Regional Development continues to provide training and support to councils and communities dealing with the pest.
Ms. Xamon said the city would continue to advocate for more support in managing the spread locally.
“I don’t believe we have the luxury of allowing the borer to destroy our canopy, including huge trees that are more than a century old,” he said.
“As the debate continues, PSHB continues to spread.
“Councils are planning and taking action now because we have no choice. Protecting our environment should not place unreasonable financial pressure on the communities we serve.”
