Perth's quarantine plan for the polyphagous shot-hole borer beetle has been updated, shifting from eradication to long-term management. The beetle, first detected in Fremantle in 2021, has infested thousands of trees in popular sites like Hyde Park and Kings Park, leading authorities to concede eradication was no longer feasible.
The new quarantine zone, effective Friday, splits the city into two areas: an inner management zone covering the main infestation, and a containment zone where damage is less severe. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) will prioritize pruning and removal of infested trees in the containment zone to prevent spread beyond the city.
Landholders in the management zone are not required to remove affected trees but must manage them with DPIRD's advice. An updated interactive map will show property owners their zone, and a new specialist team has been launched to assist with the transition to long-term management.
Restrictions on moving firewood, green waste, and untreated plant material remain in place. DPIRD Deputy Director General Mia Carbon emphasized the importance of early detection and community cooperation to limit the beetle's impact.
The state government has provided $2.5 million to support local governments in managing infested trees and $2.17 million for research into control options. The beetle, native to Southeast Asia, is believed to have arrived in Australia via untreated wooden items.
