❓ Hon. Steve Martin questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the management of the polyphagous shot-hole borer invasion, specifically focusing on mulch distribution, restrictions on tree loppers, notification protocols, and quarantine signage. The Minister provides information on current practices and ongoing efforts.
AnsweredQoN 948Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLYPHAGOUS SHOT-HOLE BORER
948. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the polyphagous
shot-hole borer invasion.
(1) Are there any bans in place on
the distribution of mulch produced by tree lopping?
(2) Have any
restrictions been placed on the sale and distribution of mulch produced by
commercial tree loppers/arborists?
(3) Have all
commercial tree-lopping organisations in the state been notified of the protocols
around the movement of tree material?
(4) Has a standard warning sign to
notify the public of a shot-hole borer quarantine been designed?
(5) How many signs have been
produced and where have they been deployed?
(6) If I drove
from the WA Parliament to my office in Narrogin, how many quarantine signs
would I pass?
948. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the polyphagous
shot-hole borer invasion.
(1) Are there any bans in place on
the distribution of mulch produced by tree lopping?
(2) Have any
restrictions been placed on the sale and distribution of mulch produced by
commercial tree loppers/arborists?
(3) Have all
commercial tree-lopping organisations in the state been notified of the protocols
around the movement of tree material?
(4) Has a standard warning sign to
notify the public of a shot-hole borer quarantine been designed?
(5) How many signs have been
produced and where have they been deployed?
(6) If I drove
from the WA Parliament to my office in Narrogin, how many quarantine signs
would I pass?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1)–(2) There
are no restrictions on the distribution of mulch, provided it meets quarantine
area movement requirements, which require that it has been chipped to less than
2.5 centimetres in diameter. Mulch from confirmed
infested trees is chipped to less than 2.5 centimetres in diameter and hot
composted to Australian standards to manage biosecurity risk.
(3) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been working with
the Arboricultural Association of Western Australia on the polyphagous
shot-hole borer since it was first detected in 2021. This includes regular
provision of industry-wide training, workshops and information over the last
three years.
(4) Signage has
been developed to inform people of PSHB, including the quarantine area
requirements. This information is currently
being updated, and new signs are being deployed across the Perth metropolitan
area.
(5) Signage has been deployed
across the Perth metropolitan area since 2021.
(6) Since DPIRD
has provided signs and information to all impacted local governments, many of
which have deployed their own signage, DPIRD is therefore not aware of all the
signs that have been deployed.
I note there are several ways to
get to Narrogin from Parliament House. I am not sure which local governments
the member goes through.
of the question.
(1)–(2) There
are no restrictions on the distribution of mulch, provided it meets quarantine
area movement requirements, which require that it has been chipped to less than
2.5 centimetres in diameter. Mulch from confirmed
infested trees is chipped to less than 2.5 centimetres in diameter and hot
composted to Australian standards to manage biosecurity risk.
(3) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been working with
the Arboricultural Association of Western Australia on the polyphagous
shot-hole borer since it was first detected in 2021. This includes regular
provision of industry-wide training, workshops and information over the last
three years.
(4) Signage has
been developed to inform people of PSHB, including the quarantine area
requirements. This information is currently
being updated, and new signs are being deployed across the Perth metropolitan
area.
(5) Signage has been deployed
across the Perth metropolitan area since 2021.
(6) Since DPIRD
has provided signs and information to all impacted local governments, many of
which have deployed their own signage, DPIRD is therefore not aware of all the
signs that have been deployed.
I note there are several ways to
get to Narrogin from Parliament House. I am not sure which local governments
the member goes through.
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