STABLE Fly Action Group (SFAG) president Bob Wilson is calling on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis to consider the group’s eight recommendations amid a review of the stable fly management plan (SFMP) and the Biosecurity and Agricultural Management Act.

Mr Wilson said the 2019 SFMP was due to be updated last year but a draft of the review had not yet been made.

“So, the updated management plan which comes under the BAM Act is probably not being released until the BAM Act review is released,” he said.

Mr Wilson said a meeting was held on June 5 with Nationals leader Shane Love, Opposition Agriculture spokesman Lachlan Hunter, the Shire of Gingin and the SFAG to talk about their concerns regarding stable fly.

He said the SFAG was concerned DPIRD may be passing the delegation of power to the local governments listed under the management plan.

“Our concern is, if that is to happen, then those local governments must get some financial help to take over those responsibilities.”

Mr Wilson said the local government should also be given the power to prosecute landowners who fail to comply with management practices.

“So, not only the delegation of powers go to the local governments, but they also must have the power to prosecute if that’s the case.”

According to a DPIRD spokesperson, the stable fly was an established pest on the Swan Coastal Plain and numbers fluctuated depending on the season.

“Stable fly flourishes where there is plentiful rotting organic material,” the spokesperson said.

“This can become an issue locally where intensive agriculture and residential areas co-exist in close proximity.”

The spokesperson said stable fly numbers were high during the 2024-25 summer.

“The unusually warm winter of 2024 combined with favourable breeding conditions over the 2024-25 summer contributed to this situation.”

The DPIRD spokesperson said in WA established pests were managed at a local level through collaboration between landholders, local communities, local organisations and local government authorities.

The spokesperson said DPIRD was considering amendments to the SFMP.

“This includes consideration of strengthening the capacity of local government authorities to manage stable fly infestations.”

DPIRD did not confirm if local governments would have the power to prosecute landowners.

Under the Act the stable fly was a declared pest in both the cities of Swan and Kalamunda.

Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said although the stable fly was not widespread, the city was aware it impacted some properties and monitored the issue closely.

“Where appropriate, we investigate complaints and liaise with DPIRD to ensure compliance with relevant regulations,” she said.

“The city supports DPIRD’s continued leadership on this issue, with local governments playing a supporting role where appropriate.”

She said the management of the pest was not a core service of local government.

“If full responsibility were transferred to the city, it would require significant additional resourcing and funding.

“Any change would need support from the state government.”

City of Swan Mayor Tanya Richardson said as a declared agricultural pest, DPIRD was responsible for controlling the stable fly population.

“The City of Swan believes that stable fly management must remain the responsibility of DPIRD as the state agency charged with administering the BAM Act,” she said.

“The city does not have the funding, technical expertise or legislative authority to take on this state government responsibility.”

Mr Wilson said SFAG started its own reporting system three years ago because DPIRD’s MyPestGuide reporter became unreliable.

“It was a reporting system that you reported into and it was acknowledged that they received your report but there was nothing else.

“You didn’t hear whether they had sent anybody out to check the problem.

“We said this isn’t good enough.”

Mr Wilson said SFAG hadn’t been able to talk to Ms Jarvis directly about their concerns.

“As it stands at the moment, this Agriculture Minister is the only Agriculture Minister we haven’t been able to get a face-to-face meeting with.”

Ms Jarvis was contacted for comment.