Background
Western Australia is a large, sparsely populated state. It is relatively free of some of the harmful weeds and vertebrate pest animals that affect other parts of Australia, and other parts of the world.
It’s worth considering that there was a time when every pest that is now established in WA did not exist here, and could have been prevented by surveillance, early detection and effective response.
The recently completed Invasive Species Plan for Western Australia 2015-2019 has identified the importance of post-border surveillance and detection for invasive species in Western Australia – in other words searching for, detecting and reporting harmful invasive species (weeds and pest animals) within WA.
The Invasive Species Plan for Western Australia 2015-2019 identifies actions for a coordinated approach to surveillance and detection of priority invasive species that are a threat to industries, the environment and social values in this State. The coordinated approach will result in greater involvement in pest surveillance by all stakeholders, and the use of improved ways of identifying and reporting pests. Developing a post-border surveillance and detection plan relevant to industry, community and government will help achieve this coordinated approach.
Seeking your views
The aim of the Post-Border Surveillance and Detection Plan for Invasive Species in Western Australia is to ensure that we can prevent the next major pest incursion - through improved weed and vertebrate pest surveillance by all stakeholders in Western Australia.
In developing the plan, the department will be contacting a large number of people and organisations who are identified as stakeholders who have a current or future role in pest surveillance, in order to gain their views on how best to improve pest surveillance in WA.
Stakeholders will be asked a number of questions in the following areas in order to have a broad discussion on pest surveillance:
- What is your understanding of current post-border surveillance in Western Australia?
- What would you consider is working well?
- What is not working well?
- What does the surveillance plan need to address to ensure that it is working well?
- What should be the priorities? How would these be determined?
- What should be the roles of industry and community? What is the role of government?
- How should information be reported?
- What is required to ensure success?
Stakeholders will be contacted to arrange a suitable time for a phone interview, which will take approximately 30 minutes.
DAFWA is currently closely involved with delivering two other significant pest surveillance activities, which are both part of the Boosting Biosecurity Defences project funded by Royalties for Regions, namely the Agricultural Weed Surveillance in the South West to Protect Industry Profitability project and the Biosecurity Blitz which ran from 18-30 September 2015.
If you require further information on the surveillance and detection plan, please contact David Kessell, Invasive Species program, on 9368 3207 or email david.kessell@agric.wa.gov.au.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find information about the Invasive Species Plan for Western Australia 2015-2019?
This can be found on the DAFWA website by searching for the term Invasive Species Plan for Western Australia 2015-2019.
What is meant by invasive species?
An invasive species is usually an introduced plant or animal that becomes established in the state and causes damage to the economy, the environment or social values – sometimes all three.
The invasive species that are of particular interest to the surveillance plan are introduced (non-native) weeds and vertebrates - mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
What does invasive species surveillance involve?
Invasive species surveillance covers the various activities associated with searching for, detecting and reporting weeds and vertebrate pests.
What is meant by ‘post-border’ surveillance?
‘Post-border’ refers to ‘within the state’ and describes those surveillance-related activities that are carried out in the state for weeds and pests that are already present here. It does not include searches carried out at the state border by quarantine inspectors.
Who are the stakeholders in invasive species surveillance?
A large number of people and organisations with a wide range of interests currently carry out surveillance and detection of invasive species, or have an interest in doing so. Others are well-placed to be involved in surveillance by living or working in places where significant pests might be found, while others have an interest in the results of surveillance.
What are some examples of stakeholders and stakeholder groups?
Examples of stakeholders and stakeholder groups are farmers, pastoralists and other land managers; private individuals; indigenous landholders and land managers; industry and community groups such as Recognised Biosecurity Groups; agricultural consultants and agronomists; environmental managers and consultants; industry grower groups; government agencies including local governments; NRM groups; catchment management and landcare groups; peak industry groups representing agricultural, horticultural and mining industries; recreational land users such as bush walkers and anglers; wildlife specialists including ornithologists and wildflower groups.
How will stakeholders be contacted?
DAFWA will email stakeholders who are involved with or interested in invasive species surveillance and will invite them to take part in a short discussion over the phone.
What is the goal of the surveillance and detection plan?
The surveillance and detection plan’s goal is that the arrival, establishment and spread of invasive weeds and vertebrate pests in the State are prevented through effective searching, detection and reporting practices.
How can weed and pest surveillance be improved?
There are three main areas for improvement, as follows:
- Greatly increasing the involvement of individuals and groups from industry, the community and government in detecting and reporting pests.
- Identifying high risk pathways and locations for pest introduction and establishment.
- Introducing innovative, low-cost technological improvements to assist in pest reporting and identification.
Is the surveillance plan related to other surveillance activities led by DAFWA?
The surveillance and detection plan is part of a suite of pest surveillance activities being led by DAFWA.
As well as the surveillance and detection plan, DAFWA is currently closely involved with delivering two significant pest surveillance activities. The two projects are both part of the Boosting Biosecurity Defences project funded by Royalties for Regions:
- Agricultural Weed Surveillance in the South West to Protect Industry Profitability project
- Biosecurity Blitz.
Who should I contact to find out more about the Surveillance Plan?
If you require further information, please contact David Kessell, Invasive Species program, on 9368 4028 or email david.kessell@agric.wa.gov.au.