❓ Mr Rundle questions the Premier about non-disclosure agreements imposed on local governments regarding the polyphagous shot-hole borer outbreak. The Premier denies knowledge of NDAs but acknowledges communication protocols and the importance of collaboration with local governments.
AnsweredQoN 95Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Polyphagous shot-hole borer—Local government
95. Mr Peter Rundle to the Premier:
I refer to the
ongoing removal of trees in Hyde Park and other areas of Perth due to the
polyphagous shot-hole borer and recent comments from several local government
mayors saying that they are being held hostage to the government's gag orders.
Why is the Cook government requiring local governments to sign non-disclosure
agreements in relation to this pest outbreak when we all know that the strength
and quality of public information can be the greatest weapon against this pest?
95. Mr Peter Rundle to the Premier:
I refer to the
ongoing removal of trees in Hyde Park and other areas of Perth due to the
polyphagous shot-hole borer and recent comments from several local government
mayors saying that they are being held hostage to the government's gag orders.
Why is the Cook government requiring local governments to sign non-disclosure
agreements in relation to this pest outbreak when we all know that the strength
and quality of public information can be the greatest weapon against this pest?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question. It provides us with another opportunity to continue to talk
about the shot-hole borer and the impact it is having, particularly on some of
the exotic tree species that have been planted in and around the Perth metropolitan
area. These trees provide amenity, shade and great aesthetic value, but they,
particularly the softwood varieties, are vulnerable to the shot-hole borer.
That is why the departments have been working assiduously to make sure that we
do everything we can to limit the impact and spread of the disease. So far,
there is only one way we know how—that is, to remove wood affected by
the shot-hole borer and to make sure it is disposed of properly. That also
involves, as members would observe, an information campaign about making sure
that we do everything we can to ensure people do not transport wood out of the
quarantine area, which is pretty much most of the CBD now. We are working very
carefully with local government authorities, which have an important role to
play in not only monitoring but also making sure that they assist us in removing
trees and educating the community where that takes place.
Mr Speaker, I am not
aware of any non-disclosure agreement, but I assume that as part of any
partnership with a local government authority, there is a communication protocol
and strategy that informs both the department—I think it is Department
of Primary Industries and Regional Development in this case—and the
local government authority in how they communicate with the community.
I should say that
where we do see the removal of trees—the member in particular mentioned
Hyde Park, where we see up to 20% or possibly more of trees removed—we
commit to replacing them with even more trees. Although that has an impact on
visual amenity in the first instance, we know that in the long run we will be
able to replace those trees and at least see those parks restored in a manner that
the community would respect. We see local government authorities and, indeed,
state governments in other in other jurisdictions as important partners in this
program.
for the question. It provides us with another opportunity to continue to talk
about the shot-hole borer and the impact it is having, particularly on some of
the exotic tree species that have been planted in and around the Perth metropolitan
area. These trees provide amenity, shade and great aesthetic value, but they,
particularly the softwood varieties, are vulnerable to the shot-hole borer.
That is why the departments have been working assiduously to make sure that we
do everything we can to limit the impact and spread of the disease. So far,
there is only one way we know how—that is, to remove wood affected by
the shot-hole borer and to make sure it is disposed of properly. That also
involves, as members would observe, an information campaign about making sure
that we do everything we can to ensure people do not transport wood out of the
quarantine area, which is pretty much most of the CBD now. We are working very
carefully with local government authorities, which have an important role to
play in not only monitoring but also making sure that they assist us in removing
trees and educating the community where that takes place.
Mr Speaker, I am not
aware of any non-disclosure agreement, but I assume that as part of any
partnership with a local government authority, there is a communication protocol
and strategy that informs both the department—I think it is Department
of Primary Industries and Regional Development in this case—and the
local government authority in how they communicate with the community.
I should say that
where we do see the removal of trees—the member in particular mentioned
Hyde Park, where we see up to 20% or possibly more of trees removed—we
commit to replacing them with even more trees. Although that has an impact on
visual amenity in the first instance, we know that in the long run we will be
able to replace those trees and at least see those parks restored in a manner that
the community would respect. We see local government authorities and, indeed,
state governments in other in other jurisdictions as important partners in this
program.
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