A major new report has sounded the alarm on a growing environmental crisis in Western Australia, warning that a tiny beetle is killing thousands of trees and that a massive $100 million investment is urgently needed to fight back.
The Invisible Killer: Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer
The culprit is an invasive species known as the polyphagous shot-hole borer. This minute beetle, originally from Southeast Asia, bores into tree trunks and branches. It doesn't act alone; it carries a fungus called Fusarium euwallaceae, which it farms for food inside the tree. This fungus blocks the tree's water and nutrient transport systems, leading to a condition known as Fusarium dieback.
The report, commissioned by the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) and prepared by consultancy firm Mosaic Insights, lays out the stark reality. Over 13,000 trees in Perth metropolitan areas have already been confirmed as infested or symptomatic, with the true number likely far higher. The beetle has spread from initial detections in East Fremantle to at least 32 local government areas, creating a vast quarantine zone.
"We are facing a tree health emergency," the report states bluntly. The pest shows no signs of slowing, threatening not only bushland but the very trees that line our streets and fill our parks.
A $100 Million Blueprint for Survival
To combat this threat and rebuild the state's urban canopy, the report proposes a comprehensive 10-year strategy requiring significant funding. The centrepiece is a call for $100 million from the state and federal governments.
This money would be directed towards several critical actions:
- Expanded surveillance and containment: Increasing efforts to track the beetle's spread and prevent it from reaching vulnerable areas like the South West's avocado orchards and wine regions.
- Research into treatment and resistant species: Funding scientific studies to find effective ways to manage the pest and identify which tree species can withstand its attack.
- A massive replanting program: Removing dead and dying trees and planting new ones that are less susceptible to the borer, ensuring future urban forests are resilient.
WALGA President Karen Chappel emphasised the scale of the challenge, noting that local councils, who manage most of the affected trees, simply cannot shoulder this burden alone. The report suggests the creation of a dedicated biosecurity taskforce to lead the coordinated response.
Why Our Urban Forests Matter
The loss of trees extends far beyond aesthetics. Urban forests provide essential ecosystem services that have direct economic and social value. They cool our suburbs during increasingly hot summers, reduce energy costs, improve air and water quality, and support mental wellbeing.
The report warns that without this major investment, the cost of inaction will be immense. Local governments could face a collective financial blow exceeding $700 million in lost asset value, increased maintenance, and environmental damage. The social cost of losing cherished green spaces is incalculable.
With the beetle continuing its silent spread, the call for a funded, state-wide action plan grows more urgent by the day. The future of Western Australia's iconic urban landscapes may depend on the response to this $100 million plea.
