❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the white cedar moth and Cape lilac trees, focusing on their impact on public health and potential classification as pests. The response clarifies the tree's status and local government's role in pest control.
AnsweredQoN 1623Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to Gardennote No. 1 of August 2003, concerning the white cedar moth, a serious pest of Cape lilac trees, I ask –
(1) Has the Department updated its informative information on this dangerous pest in the
inner-city?
(2) Does the Department have any information regarding the numbers of people affected, including the Member for Perth, with serious skin reactions from the caterpillars’ hairs?
(3) Does the Department’s advice that the berries are extremely toxic, the leaf, bark and flowers are also poisonous, and smoke from burning wood contains toxic fumes indicate that the Government should consider declaring this tree and/or caterpillar an environmental or an agricultural pest?
(1) Has the Department updated its informative information on this dangerous pest in the
inner-city?
(2) Does the Department have any information regarding the numbers of people affected, including the Member for Perth, with serious skin reactions from the caterpillars’ hairs?
(3) Does the Department’s advice that the berries are extremely toxic, the leaf, bark and flowers are also poisonous, and smoke from burning wood contains toxic fumes indicate that the Government should consider declaring this tree and/or caterpillar an environmental or an agricultural pest?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 December 2006
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
20 days
2. No. 3. The Cape lilac which is native to tropical parts of Australia is widely distributed in temperate Western Australia. The tree establishes very easily from seed and birds also spread the seeds with the result that the Cape lilac is now very widespread and generally considered naturalised. The Cape lilac tree cannot be declared as a declared plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 as it does not threaten agriculture or related activities. Section 110 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 allows a Local Government Authority to establish by-laws under the Local Government Act , to prescribe any plant, other than a Declared Plant, to be a 'Pest Plant', if that plant is capable of adversely affecting the value of properties in a district, or the health, comfort or convenience of residents. Once a relevant by-law is established, a local authority can enforce landholder control of Pest Plants if they are found in the district.
3. The Cape lilac which is native to tropical parts of Australia is widely distributed in temperate Western Australia. The tree establishes very easily from seed and birds also spread the seeds with the result that the Cape lilac is now very widespread and generally considered naturalised. The Cape lilac tree cannot be declared as a declared plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 as it does not threaten agriculture or related activities. Section 110 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 allows a Local Government Authority to establish by-laws under the Local Government Act , to prescribe any plant, other than a Declared Plant, to be a 'Pest Plant', if that plant is capable of adversely affecting the value of properties in a district, or the health, comfort or convenience of residents. Once a relevant by-law is established, a local authority can enforce landholder control of Pest Plants if they are found in the district.
The Cape lilac tree cannot be declared as a declared plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 as it does not threaten agriculture or related activities. Section 110 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 allows a Local Government Authority to establish by-laws under the Local Government Act , to prescribe any plant, other than a Declared Plant, to be a 'Pest Plant', if that plant is capable of adversely affecting the value of properties in a district, or the health, comfort or convenience of residents. Once a relevant by-law is established, a local authority can enforce landholder control of Pest Plants if they are found in the district.
3. The Cape lilac which is native to tropical parts of Australia is widely distributed in temperate Western Australia. The tree establishes very easily from seed and birds also spread the seeds with the result that the Cape lilac is now very widespread and generally considered naturalised. The Cape lilac tree cannot be declared as a declared plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 as it does not threaten agriculture or related activities. Section 110 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 allows a Local Government Authority to establish by-laws under the Local Government Act , to prescribe any plant, other than a Declared Plant, to be a 'Pest Plant', if that plant is capable of adversely affecting the value of properties in a district, or the health, comfort or convenience of residents. Once a relevant by-law is established, a local authority can enforce landholder control of Pest Plants if they are found in the district.
The Cape lilac tree cannot be declared as a declared plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 as it does not threaten agriculture or related activities. Section 110 of the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 allows a Local Government Authority to establish by-laws under the Local Government Act , to prescribe any plant, other than a Declared Plant, to be a 'Pest Plant', if that plant is capable of adversely affecting the value of properties in a district, or the health, comfort or convenience of residents. Once a relevant by-law is established, a local authority can enforce landholder control of Pest Plants if they are found in the district.
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