❓ Hon Julie Freeman questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the shift to managing, rather than eradicating, the polyphagous shot-hole borer in WA, seeking details on strategies, funding allocation, consultation, and success measurement. The Minister outlines a national transition management plan and stakeholder engagement.
AnsweredQoN 379Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Polyphagous shot-hole borer
379. Hon Julie Freeman to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
minister's comments earlier today that it is no longer technically feasible to
eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer in Western Australia and that the
focus will now shift to managing the pest.
I also refer to the
additional $26.5 million allocated to slow its spread, protect healthy trees
and safeguard the horticulture industry.
(1) What specific management strategies will be
implemented under this revised approach?
(2) How will the $26.5 million be allocated across
prevention, control, industry support and community engagement?
(3) What consultation has taken place with
affected industries, local governments and environmental stakeholders in
shaping this new response?
(4) How will success be measured under this
management strategy?
379. Hon Julie Freeman to
the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to the
minister's comments earlier today that it is no longer technically feasible to
eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer in Western Australia and that the
focus will now shift to managing the pest.
I also refer to the
additional $26.5 million allocated to slow its spread, protect healthy trees
and safeguard the horticulture industry.
(1) What specific management strategies will be
implemented under this revised approach?
(2) How will the $26.5 million be allocated across
prevention, control, industry support and community engagement?
(3) What consultation has taken place with
affected industries, local governments and environmental stakeholders in
shaping this new response?
(4) How will success be measured under this
management strategy?
AnswerView source ↗
Indeed that was a
good question and I thank the honourable member for notice of it.
(1)–(4) The national management group,
which is the decision-making body for the national eradication programs for
exotic plant pests, has determined that the response to the polyphagous
shot-hole borer will transition to management. The national transition
management plan is being finalised in consultation with plant biosecurity
experts from across Australia, including a scientific advisory panel. The plan
will detail the activities that will be delivered, including capacity building,
training and support for local government, communities, industries and
landholders, and the development of long-term integrated pest management strategies. A key part of the transition will be
engaging and consulting with stakeholders, including on the development of
these long-term strategies. The WA community, state biosecurity teams and local
government have worked incredibly hard since 2021. As a result, we have a
strong foundation to manage this pest going forward.
The management of the pest will
focus on limiting the spread beyond the metropolitan area and minimising its
impact through targeted surveillance and tree management to protect urban tree
canopy and horticultural industries. Protecting Perth's urban trees canopy
remains a priority for the Cook Labor government. That is why this government
has provisioned $26.5 million in the 2025–26 state budget to deliver a
response plan, noting that the final budget and cost-sharing arrangements for
the transition management plan will be led and determined nationally.
Governance arrangements and the
review of the shot-hole borer response is managed under the Emergency Plant Pest
Response Deed, which provides a consistent and agreed national approach to the
response. The national management group takes advice from a consultative
committee on emergency plant pests that is made up of all state and territory Chief
Plant Health Managers and representatives from Plant Health Australia and Biosecurity
Australia.
good question and I thank the honourable member for notice of it.
(1)–(4) The national management group,
which is the decision-making body for the national eradication programs for
exotic plant pests, has determined that the response to the polyphagous
shot-hole borer will transition to management. The national transition
management plan is being finalised in consultation with plant biosecurity
experts from across Australia, including a scientific advisory panel. The plan
will detail the activities that will be delivered, including capacity building,
training and support for local government, communities, industries and
landholders, and the development of long-term integrated pest management strategies. A key part of the transition will be
engaging and consulting with stakeholders, including on the development of
these long-term strategies. The WA community, state biosecurity teams and local
government have worked incredibly hard since 2021. As a result, we have a
strong foundation to manage this pest going forward.
The management of the pest will
focus on limiting the spread beyond the metropolitan area and minimising its
impact through targeted surveillance and tree management to protect urban tree
canopy and horticultural industries. Protecting Perth's urban trees canopy
remains a priority for the Cook Labor government. That is why this government
has provisioned $26.5 million in the 2025–26 state budget to deliver a
response plan, noting that the final budget and cost-sharing arrangements for
the transition management plan will be led and determined nationally.
Governance arrangements and the
review of the shot-hole borer response is managed under the Emergency Plant Pest
Response Deed, which provides a consistent and agreed national approach to the
response. The national management group takes advice from a consultative
committee on emergency plant pests that is made up of all state and territory Chief
Plant Health Managers and representatives from Plant Health Australia and Biosecurity
Australia.
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