PHBG'S weed wiper program triples participation in five years

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) launched the Weed Wiper Loan Program in 2021 to combat the invasive and toxic Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida and miniata). This initiative offers a cost-effective, environmentally responsible and selective control method by making weed wipers available for landowners to borrow at no cost. A weed wiper directly applies herbicide to the comparatively tall Cape tulip, killing the weed while preserving the valuable underlying pasture. This approach significantly reduces overall herbicide use and spray drift compared to conventional boom spraying.

The program has grown consistently since its introduction. Beginning with under 20 landholders who borrowed PHBG's weed wipers, participation has more than tripled. In 2025, the program had over 60 participating landholders. The program’s impact is particularly strong in the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, which accounted for over 80% of equipment loans in 2025.

The future

In response to increasing demand for the smaller, more maneuverable units, PHBG will convert one of our two large weed wipers into a small unit. This results in a 5:1 small-to-large inventory configuration. The 2026 season will pilot this new mix, providing critical data to determine the optimal long-term equipment inventory to better serve our landholders' needs.

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Community Survey provides clear direction for future pest management programs

More people than ever before have had their say on pest management in the Peel-Harvey region, with a 28% increase in participants on our previous survey in 2024. Rabbits remain the region's biggest concern Survey results confirm that rabbits remain the number one pest concern across every local government area, with foxes consistently ranking second. While these priorities were shared across the region, local differences also emerged. For example, feral pigs were identified as a much greater issue in Harvey than elsewhere, while cotton bush, Cape tulip and arum lily featured prominently in Ser pentine Jarrahdale and Murray. Continued demand for practical support The survey also provided valuable feedback on the support landholders would like to see from PHBG. Many respondents asked for more practical workshops, equipment demonstrations and on-ground advice, particularly around rabbit control and weed management. Rabbit management was by far the most requested workshop topic, follow...

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Bridging research and practice: a recap of the Weed Manager’s Networking Day

Earlier in June, PHBG was delighted to host an informative and engaging Weed Manager’s Networking Day, with presentations by industry experts and scientists working in both private and public sectors. This event was specifically designed for land managers, who had only positive feedback for us after the event. Attendees said they found the speakers knowledgeable and their presentations both useful and educational. They particularly valued the opportunity to learn from these experts as well as other attendees about current programs and research. We also received several great ideas for future events - do you have any? Drop us a line and we'll add your idea to the list. Below are short summaries of the presentations. We encourage you to follow the links if you’d like to know more about the presenters or their work. Integrated weed management (IPM): What does this mean in revegetation or natural area management? Brett Kuhlmann, Vivacious Surrounds Integrated ...

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