News & Updates

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is hosting a special screening of the ABC’s Eat the Invaders on March 6 . Join us and an expert panel in Pinjarra as we watch the rabbit episode and debate innovative, sustainable, and sometimes controversial solutions to managing invasive species. Rabbits, introduced to Australia in the 18th century, have become one of the nation’s most destructive pests. They decimate native vegetation, contribute to soil erosion, and outcompete local wildlife for resources. While rural Australia has long battled these pests, peri-urban areas—where urban sprawl meets the countryside—are becoming the new frontline. Limited control measures in these zones allow rabbits to flourish, creating challenges for conservationists, farmers, and homeowners alike. “Rabbits are slowly spreading across our peri-urban and urban areas,” says Teele Hooper-Worrell, Executive Officer of PHBG. “A small number of rabbits can become ecosystem architects, determining what native plants w...

Published in the Peel Magazine, Summer 24-25. Click to open the online PDF of the magazine. Article on page 48.

Local landowners need to jump onto rabbit control this summer, says Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG). In an effort to help locals battle Australia’s most costly pest, PHBG will host information sessions across the Peel-Harvey region in December. The sessions will provide landowners with practical guidance on effective rabbit control methods. PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell said it’s essential that property owners understand how to control rabbits effectively, regardless of whether the property is a few acres or a productive farm. “Rabbits cause over $270 million in damage to agriculture every year, but that figure doesn’t capture the damage to our native ecosystems or the day-to-day impact on landholders,” said Teele. “Rabbits impact on landholders in a range of ways–they graze on crops, prevent native plants from regenerating, their warrens can make a paddock unusable or even undermine buildings. Just one or two rabbits can lead to long-lasting effects and should initi...

As the weather heats up, Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is urging local landholders to take action against feral pigs. The group is hosting a workshop on this invasive pest to help locals better utilise trapping to control their numbers.  “Pigs have nearly the same reproductive capability as rabbits,” said PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell. “It’s incredibly important that landholders facing a pig problem maintain their control efforts, especially now, as early summer is a critical time for managing their populations. Trapping is far more effective in reducing impact than ad hoc shooting and can be used to complement current feral pig control activities.” Pigs are true omnivores and feral animals and will even prey on livestock, particularly newborn lambs. They also eat crops and pasture and can damage large areas of productive crops very quickly. This voracious feeding not only results in direct losses for farmers but also leads to significant damage to native lands...

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is urging landholders to ramp up control efforts as fox kits begin to leave their dens and hunt for food independently. The group is hosting a workshop on fox control for small landholders which aims to help property owners learn how to safely and effectively manage these invasive pests. Foxes prey on native wildlife and livestock, causing significant ecological and economic damage. The animals are a declared invasive pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management (BAM) Act 2007 administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).  The PHBG holds several workshops each year on control methods and loans traps to local landholders free of charge to bolster grassroots control efforts. Small landholders who wish to learn more about non-chemical fox control methods can book a place at the upcoming workshop, “Fox control for small landholders” . The workshop will feature fox expert and Licensed Pest Managemen...

Landholders in the Peel Harvey region are being urged to weed out invasive plants before they go to seed in the heat of summer. To help with this task, the Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is hosting a free weed identification workshop to help landholders achieve more effective long-term weed control. “Spring is an active time for weeds, so landholders should monitor for any new growth of declared weeds. Correct identification of these weeds on your property can lead to more effective control measures, saving you time, money, and effort in achieving long-term results,” said PHBG Executive Officer, Teele Hooper-Worrell. PHBG focuses on six priority declared weeds, chosen based on community feedback regarding their impact on local agriculture and natural systems. These weeds—cotton bush, Cape tulip, arum lily, Paterson’s curse, apple of Sodom, and blackberry—are all actively growing during spring. Among them, only blackberry is non-toxic, while the others pose potentially lethal risk...

It’s a treat to explore our beautiful state, with its bustling agriculture and unique landscapes and lifeforms. To preserve all this, it’s important to be mindful of biosecurity when you travel. This keeps you, your family and the livelihoods of future generations safe.  Biosecurity when on the move Stay on the trail Stick to the designated path. The paths are there for a reason - they protect fragile habitats and native animals. In some cases they also help keep disease (such as dieback) confined. Not to mention that if something goes wrong, it’s easier for help to find you if you’re on the trail. WA Police - How to safely bushwalk, prospect or travel the outback Parks and Wildlife Service - Know before you go Tourism WA - Travel tips Pest check Before and after you go for a wander, check yourself and your companions for ticks, and check dogs for ticks, fleas or burrs. Ticks can be a source of disease for both humans and dogs, so make sure you know how to check for and remove tick...