More than 300,000 West Australians reached in polyphagous shot-hole borer million-dollar awareness campaign

A million-dollar public awareness campaign for the tree-killing polyphagous shot-hole borer has reached over 300,000 West Aussies, according to the State Government who have faced criticism over the invasive pest’s spread.

The southeast Asian beetle has led to the destruction of more than 3000 Perth trees since it was first detected near Fremantle in 2021, despite a $44 million Federal and State funded war chest.

WA Opposition on Wednesday called for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to intensify its educational effort to combat a significant gap in the public’s understanding of a ban on moving wood out of Perth.

Under the current quarantine zone, residents are prohibited from moving wood material unless it is mulch that has been chipped to less than 2.5 centimetres in diameter.

“This week I drove from Katanning to the CBD of Perth; I didn’t see one sign about the polyphagous shot hole borer,” Nationals MP Peter Rundle said.

“I don’t think there is anywhere near the awareness that there should be amongst the public within WA.

“We need to do everything we can to increase public awareness.”

Labor MP Don Punch defended the government’s response during a heated debate in Parliament, saying there had been an extensive communication campaign and more than 150 staff were working to tackle the borer.

He said DPRID’s website had received 15,000 visitors since the information was expanded, which had been accompanied by a social media advertising campaign.

“A post on DPRID’s Facebook page explaining the restrictions has been seen by over 300,000 unique visitors. It’s been shared over 1400 times. So, people are seeing it,” Mr Punch said.

The State Government also claims signs have been installed throughout the Perth metropolitan area since 2021 to educate the public about the borer outbreak and have been updated to reflect the necessary quarantine restrictions.

To respond to the biosecurity threat, DPIRD also employed at least 14 additional scientific staff — who have a range of expertise across entomology, plant pathology and molecular diagnostics.

And as part of their education campaign, the Department has held briefings with local governments, community groups, arborists, tree farms, horticulturists and firewood stores, among others.

Mr Punch said despite DPIRD efforts, several Opposition Alliance members were absent from their dedicated briefings.

“There have been numerous briefings. I’m advised that only three members of the Opposition have ever bothered to attend those briefings,” Mr Punch said.

Mr Rundle hit back, adding that while raising concerns in Parliament on Tuesday he had to call a parliamentary quorum twice in 30 minutes after Labor MPs were lacking in the chamber.

“We’ve got a government who say they’re concerned about biosecurity but at one point in time they had two people in the chamber,” Mr Rundle said.

“For a government that says they’re worried about biosecurity; they’re not turning up to Parliament and they’re not showing any interest.”

National’s Central Wheatbelt MP and Federal Bullwinkel candidate Mia Davies questioned why Labor’s Cabinet hadn’t made further funding a priority.

“It is most definitely the Minister for Agriculture’s responsibility. What we’re seeing at the moment is either a minister who is doing her job within Cabinet and being ignored by her colleagues or a minister who has not done enough,” Ms Davies said.

“It’s one of the two because there has been a significantly lacklustre approach to managing this issue.”

Ms Davies said local governments were stretched to their limits and the State and Federal Government should consider further funding and research into the issue before it was too late.

Mr Punch backed his parliamentary colleague Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis saying the biosecurity crisis “keeps her awake at night”.

WA deputy premier Rita Saffioti accused the Opposition of politicising the issue, adding in a fiery spray on Tuesday that they were “desperate for relevancy” and were “celebrating when it spreads”.

As a daughter of an orchardist in Perth’s hills region, Ms Saffioti said she grew up understanding the importance of DPIRD’s biosecurity work.

“This issue is something that I personally feel. There should be a bipartisan approach to this,” she said.

“Something that I always actually remember is the visit from the Department of Agriculture scientists.”

She also accused the Opposition of fear-mongering about the outbreak and of previously “decimating” DPIRD of “600” full-time equivalent workers during their time in office.

“This is people’s livelihoods you’re dealing with. This is how we made a living. This is how my parents put food on the table. You’re creating scare campaigns,” she said.

Report borer damage through the MyPestGuide Reporter app, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881, or visit the department’s website.