Latest news with #DepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesandRegionalDevelopment
Perth Now
2 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
REVEALED: Number of trees cut down in western suburbs
After cutting down more than 2000 trees across Perth's leafiest suburbs, western suburb councils are now scrambling to secure new funding to help in the fight against invasive beetle species, the polyphagous shot-hole borers (PSHB). Announced last August, the State Governments $7.2 million Tree Recovery program opened up to applicants across the State to help fund replacement planting projects. It comes after Perth's western suburbs were hit with a devastating blow to their tree canopy, with six of the seven local governments experiencing rapid tree deaths due to the invasive beetle species. Your local paper, whenever you want it. According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, a total of 2308 trees have been removed and 529 pruned — some multiple times — on both private and public land in Perth's western suburbs since June. The City of Nedlands have carried the bulk of this figure, removing a total of 1124 trees across its local government area. Every other western suburb have cut down between 150 to 360 trees, with the Town of Cottesloe removing the least amount of trees at 100. WA Tree Canopy Advocate Sarah Allchurch described the western suburbs as 'ground zero' for the invasive species. WA Tree Canopy Advocate Sarah Allchurch. Credit: WATCA 'At Lake Claremont alone, 170 trees have been lost to PSHB — and that's just one site in one suburb.' 'These kinds of numbers show that Perth's so-called 'leafiest suburbs' are taking a substantial hit to their mature tree populations, which are crucial for reducing urban heat and supporting biodiversity,' she said. Although the newly available funding is a 'welcome response', Ms Allchurch said the State Government was 'late to the party'. 'Councils needed that support last year,' she said. 'If we're serious about stopping the spread and protecting both our urban canopy and agriculture sector, we need a more coordinated, proactive and transparent approach.' All of Perth's western suburb councils — except the Shire of Peppermint Grove — have said they are planning to apply for the tree recovery grant funding. The program provides up to $1,140 per PSHB-affected tree removed, covering the cost of one primary replacement tree, two additional trees, and associated establishment items. Applications for the grant program close on July 7. Successful applicants will be announced in early August.
West Australian
06-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
Locals urged to report invasive grass putting native species under threat
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is urging Kununurra residents to be on the look out for gamba grass, a voracious weed which threatens native grass species and elevates fire risk. Recent routine surveillance by DPIRD detected several immature gamba grass plants, also known as andropogon gayanus, along several roads near Kununurra. Regional biosecurity co-ordinator Lindsay Strange called on the community to support DPIRD's efforts to eradicate the weed by reporting sightings of the weed tussocks. 'Gamba grass is a tropical perennial grass that was introduced into Australia in the 1940s as a feed crop for cattle,' he said. 'It has become a significant weed across northern Australia due to its ability to grow to over four metres high and form dense patches which can burn at high intensity, posing a risk to flora and fauna, livestock and human life. 'There are a number of options to remove gamba grass and DPIRD has been working across the Kimberley to eradicate the weed for many years. 'While the recent detections have been removed, it's important for DPIRD to know of any new sightings of the weed so department officers can take action.' Gamba grass grows to form tussocks that are bigger, taller and more dense than native grass species and has strappy leaves that can grow up to 60cm long, with a distinctive white midrib covered with soft hairs. It also features fluffy flower heads on tall stems between April and June, depending on weather conditions, and remains green long into the dry season, when most native grasses have hayed off. Gamba grass sightings can be reported via DPIRD's MyPestGuide Reporter app or to its Pest and Disease Information Service on 9380 3080 or padis@
West Australian
04-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
At least 300 trees to be cleared from Hyde Park as part of shot-hole borer blitz
At least 300 trees are set to be cleared from the Hyde Park islands as part of a blitz to eradicate the polyphagous shot-hole borer. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on Wednesday said it was working with the City of Vincent to remove up to 300 host plants — including native and non-WA native trees — from the lake's two islands over the next four to six weeks. DPIRD would not confirm how many infected trees had been removed since works began on May 19. 'The only WA native species on the Hyde Park islands are Melaleuca rhaphiophylla and Eucalyptus rudis,' a spokesperson told The West. 'Other species being removed include eastern states Casuarina spp. Melaleuca spp. and Eucalyptus spp. and non-native woody weeds including Erythrina x sykesii and Ficus sp.' The PSHB — which is native to southeast Asia — is a small beetle which burrows into trees and infects them with a fungus that slowly kills them from the inside. The only way to eradicate the beetle is to remove the infected trees. 'DPIRD is continuing to work in close collaboration with the City of Vincent to manage PSHB in Hyde Park, as part of the nationally funded and coordinated emergency bio-security response,' the spokesperson said. 'PSHB surveillance and management will continue in Hyde Park to protect the high value fig and London plane trees.' Thirteen infested trees at Hyde Park have already been removed, with another 33 pruned to their limit. A further 45 have been treated with insecticides as part of an ongoing chemical trial. City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said she was 'deeply saddened' to hear the beetle had burrowed its way onto the lake's islands. She said the city would plant up to 4000 new plants and mature trees on the lake's islands. 'Losing the tree is the last thing anyone wants to see, but DPIRD have determined this precaution is necessary to stop the borer spreading to other healthy trees at the park,' Ms Xamon told The West. 'Following DPIRD's works, we will be acting quickly on our three-year restoration program which has been formed in partnership with industry experts. 'About 4000 new plants, that will be resilient to the borer and climate change, will be planted on the islands this winter including mature trees. 'We previously restored the eastern island in 2012, which gives us confidence that our program will see the islands flourish again.' It comes just days after the State Government announced local councils could apply for the first round of its WA Tree Recovery Local Government Grant Program. Councils can receive up to $1140 in funding for each tree that is removed as a result of PSHB, but the City of Vincent is yet to apply for funding. PSHB has been confirmed in more than 80 suburbs across Perth since it was first detected in August 2021.
West Australian
31-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Backyard beekeeping the new buzz in Perth as hive numbers soar
Backyard beekeeping has exploded in popularity across Perth in recent years, but the honey isn't the only thing sweet about this growing movement. With more than 4500 registered hobbyist and commercial beekeepers in WA who own more than 51,800 hives, the State's beekeeping scene has never been bigger. According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 4000 of the registered beekeepers are recreational and are mostly based in the Perth and South West region. Alongside the boom, a buzzing community has blossomed, most apparent in the Facebook group called Perth Bee Community, which is now nearing 10,000 members. Then there's the WA Apiarists' Society, a not-for-profit association founded in 1953 which now has around 1200 members. It supports and educates both rookies and veteran beekeepers across the State. WA Apiarists' Society vice-president Stephen Boylen is a suburban hobbyist beekeeper who began his keeping journey just seven years ago and has seen first-hand the recent surge in Perth's backyard beekeeping community. Mr Boylen, who manages two hives, hadn't planned on becoming a beekeeper but now finds himself deeply passionate about the craft and couldn't praise the close-knit community enough. 'I never imagined doing anything so agricultural, being a city boy, but I absolutely love it,' Mr Boylen said. 'Keeping bees is an old-school craft that's surprisingly therapeutic. When you're out there with the bees, you're fully in the moment, with nothing else on your mind. Away from the concrete jungle, you start noticing trees, flowers and the seasons in a whole new way. 'The reward comes both from the community and from what's involved in looking after your hives and your bees, not just the honey.' He believes anyone with the right attitude and patience can become a keeper, but they should be aware of the regulations and responsibilities involved. 'Anyone can learn the skills, provided they can either do the physical work or have the support to manage the practical tasks,' Mr Boylen said. 'But you should first check with the local council to ensure it's allowed and take steps like using fences or bushes to keep bees' flight paths away from walkways. 'I'd also encourage them to connect with other keepers and to do a short course for the right skills and guidance.' The hobby's growing popularity has been linked in part to 'Flow Hives', a hive design that enables keepers to extract honey without opening the hive or scraping it out. Despite the convenience of newer hives, under State law all hives must still be registered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. While registration helps protect the industry from pests and diseases, it does not necessarily grant a license or authorisation to keep bees at a specific location. 'Registration is the cornerstone of hive ownership. With registration comes the responsibility to maintain bee biosecurity and compliance to support healthy bees under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act,' a DPIRD spokesperson said. 'People intending to keep bees in built-up areas should also consult their relevant local government authority to comply with local laws and policies.' Local government laws often require residents to apply for permits for beehives, considering factors such as location and neighbour feedback. Just this week, the City of Joondalup council rejected a Sorrento resident's appeal against the city's decision to refuse their application to keep bees, citing concerns raised by neighbours with allergies. DPIRD is urging responsible hive management and the registration of existing hives to support the growing interest in hobby beekeeping. 'DPIRD encourages people considering beekeeping to make informed decisions to ensure they are responsible beekeepers,' the spokesperson said. 'Successful beekeeping needs to be built on some important foundations that can only be garnered from training and/or good mentoring.' Roy Murphy from Yanchep started beekeeping more than 15 years ago and now runs a successful full-time beekeeping business with more than 200 hives, selling honey at local markets with his family. Mr Murphy, who also visits schools and businesses to talk about the importance of bees and their role in ecosystems, believes the rapid growth of the Perth beekeeping community is a positive for both the industry and the environment. 'Beekeeping brings people together — whether it's swapping tips, sharing honey, or just standing around a hive talking bees,' he said. 'Having bees around also improves everything — more flowers, more vegetables, more life in the garden. 'And there's nothing better than going into your own hive and seeing exactly what you produced, right in your own backyard.' Despite the benefits, Mr Murphy said the hobby wasn't without its expenses and responsibilities, but with the proper preparation it could be incredibly rewarding. 'Getting started realistically costs about $1000, but it's a hobby that pays you back in more than just honey,' he said. 'I always tell people before they spend a cent, do a course with the WA Apiarists' Society to see if it's for you — and before you put a hive in your backyard, talk to your neighbours, check your council's rules, and do the groundwork.'
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- General
- Perth Now
The backyard hobby that has exploded in popularity in Perth
Backyard beekeeping has exploded in popularity across Perth in recent years, but the honey isn't the only thing sweet about this growing movement. With more than 4500 registered hobbyist and commercial beekeepers in WA who own more than 51,800 hives, the State's beekeeping scene has never been bigger. According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 4000 of the registered beekeepers are recreational and are mostly based in the Perth and South West region. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Alongside the boom, a buzzing community has blossomed, most apparent in the Facebook group called Perth Bee Community, which is now nearing 10,000 members. Then there's the WA Apiarists' Society, a not-for-profit association founded in 1953 which now has around 1200 members. It supports and educates both rookies and veteran beekeepers across the State. WA Apiarists' Society vice-president Stephen Boylen is a suburban hobbyist beekeeper who began his keeping journey just seven years ago and has seen first-hand the recent surge in Perth's backyard beekeeping community. Mr Boylen, who manages two hives, hadn't planned on becoming a beekeeper but now finds himself deeply passionate about the craft and couldn't praise the close-knit community enough. 'I never imagined doing anything so agricultural, being a city boy, but I absolutely love it,' Mr Boylen said. 'Keeping bees is an old-school craft that's surprisingly therapeutic. When you're out there with the bees, you're fully in the moment, with nothing else on your mind. Away from the concrete jungle, you start noticing trees, flowers and the seasons in a whole new way. 'The reward comes both from the community and from what's involved in looking after your hives and your bees, not just the honey.' Stephen Boylen says beekeeping is therapeutic. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian He believes anyone with the right attitude and patience can become a keeper, but they should be aware of the regulations and responsibilities involved. 'Anyone can learn the skills, provided they can either do the physical work or have the support to manage the practical tasks,' Mr Boylen said. 'But you should first check with the local council to ensure it's allowed and take steps like using fences or bushes to keep bees' flight paths away from walkways. 'I'd also encourage them to connect with other keepers and to do a short course for the right skills and guidance.' The hobby's growing popularity has been linked in part to 'Flow Hives', a hive design that enables keepers to extract honey without opening the hive or scraping it out. Despite the convenience of newer hives, under State law all hives must still be registered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. While registration helps protect the industry from pests and diseases, it does not necessarily grant a license or authorisation to keep bees at a specific location. 'Registration is the cornerstone of hive ownership. With registration comes the responsibility to maintain bee biosecurity and compliance to support healthy bees under the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act,' a DPIRD spokesperson said. 'People intending to keep bees in built-up areas should also consult their relevant local government authority to comply with local laws and policies.' Stephen Boylen has two traditional bee hives. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Local government laws often require residents to apply for permits for beehives, considering factors such as location and neighbour feedback. Just this week, the City of Joondalup council rejected a Sorrento resident's appeal against the city's decision to refuse their application to keep bees, citing concerns raised by neighbours with allergies. DPIRD is urging responsible hive management and the registration of existing hives to support the growing interest in hobby beekeeping. 'DPIRD encourages people considering beekeeping to make informed decisions to ensure they are responsible beekeepers,' the spokesperson said. 'Successful beekeeping needs to be built on some important foundations that can only be garnered from training and/or good mentoring.' A bee smoker is used by keepers to calm the bees enough to extract the honey. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Roy Murphy from Yanchep started beekeeping more than 15 years ago and now runs a successful full-time beekeeping business with more than 200 hives, selling honey at local markets with his family. Mr Murphy, who also visits schools and businesses to talk about the importance of bees and their role in ecosystems, believes the rapid growth of the Perth beekeeping community is a positive for both the industry and the environment. 'Beekeeping brings people together — whether it's swapping tips, sharing honey, or just standing around a hive talking bees,' he said. 'Having bees around also improves everything — more flowers, more vegetables, more life in the garden. 'And there's nothing better than going into your own hive and seeing exactly what you produced, right in your own backyard.' Roy Murphy of Yanchep runs Sticky Prick Bee Haven. Credit: David Baylis / Joondalup Wanneroo Despite the benefits, Mr Murphy said the hobby wasn't without its expenses and responsibilities, but with the proper preparation it could be incredibly rewarding. 'Getting started realistically costs about $1000, but it's a hobby that pays you back in more than just honey,' he said. 'I always tell people before they spend a cent, do a course with the WA Apiarists' Society to see if it's for you — and before you put a hive in your backyard, talk to your neighbours, check your council's rules, and do the groundwork.'
