FREMANTLE council has asked to be reimbursed by the WA government for any trees it removes in an effort to slow the spread of the polyphagous shot-hole borer.
Under a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development tree management plan, either the department or the City “arrange, manage, and pay” for the identification, treatment, and removal of infected trees.
But the council wants the government to put the money up quickly so it can move onto any other infected trees.
So far, eight trees on City properties have been removed by DPIRD.
According to the council, there are currently three infestation sites, with 16 trees at Queens Square, Quarry Street, and Booyeembara Park it wants removed as quickly as possible.
Councillors voted unanimously on Wednesday night for the infected trees’ removal by City officers and paid for by the WA government, although so far there isn’t a deadline for their removal.
The borers become more active as the weather warms, heightening additional risk for transfer for nearby host species.
The cost to remove the current 16 trees is estimated at $13,900, which Hilton councillor Ben Lawver cited in his amendment asking for state funding.
Cr Lawver also requested officers communicate to DPIRD “significant concern” about delays in infected tree removal, which has sparked a “substantial risk” of secondary infection.
“The state government [has spent] tens of millions of dollars over the past several years to work on eradicating this pest.
“I think that as long as we’re doing the treatments prescribed by DPIRD, that we should at least ask them for reimbursement, so our ratepayers aren’t on the hook for this.”
Additionally, and in line with DPIRD advice, the City has not planted any species which could act as reproductive hosts for the borer over the 2024 winter planting season.
The City will also “continue to advocate” for more proactive measures from the state and federal governments to contain the borer.
Coastal Ward councillor Andrew Sullivan says the motion to remove the trees “emphasises the need” for local governments to take action in lieu of state government delays.
“The polyphagous shot-hole borer is an unbelievably frightening… at a time when we’re trying to increase canopy cover,” Cr Sullivan said.
“Some little bugger has invaded our country, and at this stage, there are no clear solutions as to what’s going to happen from now.“
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER