THE Shire of Mundaring is taking a proactive stance to try and stop the spread of an invasive pest after concerns the pest is being unintentionally spread through the transportation of affected plant and wood material.

At its ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, September 10 Shire of Mundaring President Paige McNeil said if the polyphagous shot-hole borer got into the shire it would be devastating from an environmental and financial perspective.

Pest found outside quarantine area reported boundaries of the polyphagous shot-hole borer quarantine area were under review after the pest was found outside the quarantine area including in Ellenbrook and Kalamunda.

Since then in an effort to help stop the spread of the destructive polyphagous shot-hole borer the quarantine area has been expanded to include all 30 metropolitan local governments, including Mundaring.

The quarantine area has also been divided into two zones with rules applied to the movement of wood or plant materials out of each zone, to increase protection for Perth’s urban tree canopy.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said quarantine area zone A had higher numbers of infested trees and ongoing tree management works.

Zone B acts as a ‘buffer zone’ with fewer or no infested trees.

DPIRD said it was undertaking increased surveillance in zone B and would respond rapidly to any new detection in that area, as early detection was vital to the eradication effort.

Ms McNeil said she had attended several briefings and updates from the WA Local Government Association, which highlighted the spread was linked to human assisted transport.

“People are transporting infected green material and wood from zone A into zone B and beyond,’’ she said.

In a statement the shire said it was seeking partnerships with neighbouring councils and government agencies to launch a community awareness campaign, highlighting the environmental risks and the importance of early detection.

With a focus on safeguarding the areas vital tree canopy and agricultural industries, Ms McNeil said the council’s motion called for escalated research efforts and increased measures to prevent and treat the spread of the highly invasive pest.

Both Ms McNeil and City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson called on the community to do what they could to protect the environment.

“If you suspect the polyphagous shot-hole borer in your area, please report it immediately to DPIRD,’’ Ms McNeil said.

“Early detection is key to stopping this pest in its tracks and safeguarding our precious trees for the future.”

For more information visit this website.