News & Updates

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 ...

Recent changes to Western Australia’s Code of Practice for Registered Pesticides have revised requirements for the safe use of restricted pesticides, including 1080, PAPP and strychnine. Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is encouraging landholders to come along to an upcoming workshop to learn about their responsibilities under the revised Code. “The requirement is still for landholders to complete training, obtain the appropriate permits, and use registered pesticides correctly as part of coordinated pest control efforts,” said Teele Hooper-Worrell, Executive Officer for PHBG. Under Western Australian legislation, landholders must hold a Registered Pesticide Permit (RPP) to possess or use restricted pesticides such as 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate), PAPP (para-aminopropiophenone) and strychnine. The new Code has updated requirements for training, storage, transport and use of these products for private landholders. To support landholders who wish to obtain or renew a permit, PHBG will...

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group is delighted to invite industry professionals to a three-day course that will explore effective communication with the broader public.  Control and management of declared pests is becoming increasingly difficult and complex. Increasing urbanisation and decreasing acceptance of lethal control methods is putting pressure on public land managers to protect the community from the effects of declared pests, while reducing the options they have to do so.  The effects of declared pests are wide-ranging, affecting those who live in both urban and rural environments. Declared pest control is no longer solely the remit of rural communities - in fact, the majority of declared pest queries and reports received by PHBG come from urban and peri-urban areas.  Effective engagement with the members of the community allows firm, clear messages to be shared and understood despite the diverse concerns of landholders. Productive conversations about ethics and ani...

Bookings are now open for Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group’s popular school holiday programs as part of the Pesky Pests initiative— an informative, fun and interactive experience for children as they get hands-on with the science of biosecurity.  Offered free of charge to community organisations in the City of Mandurah, Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Shire of Harvey, Shire of Waroona, and Shire of Murray, the programs run for sixty to ninety minutes and are tailored for a wide age range.  During school holiday programs, kids will explore the native animals and invasive pests found in the Peel-Harvey region, get involved in hands-on activities, and learn about the importance of pest management, ecology, and biosecurity in their local environment in an age-appropriate way.  The parents of past participants have given this locally developed program rave reviews, with one saying, “A brilliant, informative session. Engaging for a lot of age groups and very well explained to youn...

This year's Southwest Vertebrate Management Forum was an extremely collaborative event, held over two days in July in the Murray Shire.  Representatives from many government bodies, as well as local landholders and pest control professionals, came along to participate.   Speakers covered topics including feral pig spread and behaviour, fox and pig parasites, the results from the PHBG rabbit blood drive in summer, deer control, how to manage social media and much more.  Highlights 11 presenters , both local and interstate More than 50 registrations 100% of attendees indicated they'd be interested in future forums 97% of attendees found the information useful and relevant The take-home resources were very popular 12 government or not-for-profits attended. Feedback “This was a fabulous event, I learnt a lot. It was great to talk to people who are facing the same challenges.” “It was awesome and informative, Thankyou!” “Excellent presenters and very professionally de...