❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) outbreak, covering eradication efforts, expenditure, management strategies, and anticipated impacts. The Minister's response provides data on costs, site management, and clarifies the shift from eradication to management.
AnsweredQoN 1023Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSB) and ask, will the expert advice leading to the decision to give up on eradication of this dangerous pest be tabled ? (2) How much was expended on the PSB control program each year since it was first located in WA? (3) How much is budgeted on the PSB management program each year in the forward estimates? (4) Will the Minister table the PSB management program to control the pest? (5) How many sites have been identified as having PSB? (6) On how many of those sites have the infested trees been treated by removal or pruning? (7) What is the current delay between identification of an infestation and treatment? (8) Is it expected that the PSB infestation can be contained: (a) If no, what are the objectives of the management strategy? (9) Has the Minister requested an independent review of the implementation of the PSB eradication to understand why it failed: (a) If not, why not? (10) What is the anticipated cost and impact of PSB infestation on the horticulture industry? (11) What is the expected impact of the PSB infestation on the conservation assets of the State? (12) What is the expected impact of the PSB infestation on the tree canopy of Perth?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 December 2025
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
7 days
1) The decision that polyphagous shot-hole borer was no longer technically feasible to eradicate was made by the National Management Group based on scientific advice and assessment by the Consultative Committee of Emergency Plant Pests, not by the Western Australian (WA) government.
2) National cost sharing expenditure for PSHB from 2021-22 to 2025-26
Year
Total Expenditure
2021-2022
$4,378,299
2022-2023
$14,095,877
2023-2024
$16,027,898
2024-2025
$25,069,420
2025-2026
$4,764,114
3) The national cost sharing arrangement have provisionally budgeted for the transition to management over the next 18 months.
Year
Total Budgeted Expenditure
2025-2026
$16,244,980
2026-2027
$7,952,747
4) See Tabled paper xxx.
5) From first detection in August 2021 until 13 November 2025 1,628 sites have been identified.
6) 1,522 sites.
7) Under the Transition to Management, landowners in the Management Zone of the Quarantine Area are responsible for managing infested trees on their own properties. There is no requirement to remove infested trees in the Management Zone. In the Containment Zone, DPIRD will continue to manage infested trees on a case-by-case basis in consultation with landholders.
8) The Transition to Management phase of the response includes a program to slow the spread of the borer. It will not be possible to contain the pest long-term.
9-9a) Governance arrangements are managed under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, which provides a consistent and agreed national approach. Plant Health Australia will deliver the national review of the response.
10-12) It is not possible to accurately predict the future cost and impact of shot-hole borer in WA.
2) National cost sharing expenditure for PSHB from 2021-22 to 2025-26
Year
Total Expenditure
2021-2022
$4,378,299
2022-2023
$14,095,877
2023-2024
$16,027,898
2024-2025
$25,069,420
2025-2026
$4,764,114
3) The national cost sharing arrangement have provisionally budgeted for the transition to management over the next 18 months.
Year
Total Budgeted Expenditure
2025-2026
$16,244,980
2026-2027
$7,952,747
4) See Tabled paper xxx.
5) From first detection in August 2021 until 13 November 2025 1,628 sites have been identified.
6) 1,522 sites.
7) Under the Transition to Management, landowners in the Management Zone of the Quarantine Area are responsible for managing infested trees on their own properties. There is no requirement to remove infested trees in the Management Zone. In the Containment Zone, DPIRD will continue to manage infested trees on a case-by-case basis in consultation with landholders.
8) The Transition to Management phase of the response includes a program to slow the spread of the borer. It will not be possible to contain the pest long-term.
9-9a) Governance arrangements are managed under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, which provides a consistent and agreed national approach. Plant Health Australia will deliver the national review of the response.
10-12) It is not possible to accurately predict the future cost and impact of shot-hole borer in WA.
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