News & Updates

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...

  From 16 October to 16 November 2025, Western Australians are invited to become citizen scientists during Biosecurity Blitz 2025 , an annual community campaign run by the Department of Primary Industries and Resource Development to spot unusual pests and protect our farms, environment and trade.  Now in its 10th year, the Blitz encourages people across WA, whether gardeners, landholders, students, or curious locals, to observe, learn, and report organisms in their backyards, bushland, paddocks or waterways. Participants can upload photos, geo-locations and descriptions of plants, animals, insects, aquatic pests or diseases through the MyPestGuide® Reporter app . Even “nothing to see” reports are valuable: confirming the absence of pests helps biosecurity experts get a clearer picture of where risks are (and aren’t).  Why we love the Biosecurity Blitz As the Recognised Biosecurity Group (RBG) for the Peel–Harvey region, Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) supports landh...

Western Australia faces a growing threat from feral pigs, and a free upcoming workshop will help landholders rein in this destructive and expensive pest.  Feral pigs cost Australia more than $100 million a year in animal predation and environmental damage across all kinds of landscapes. The animals aren’t just a rural problem. Their rooting and wallowing erode soil, pollute waterways, and damage riverbanks. An opportunistic omnivore, feral pigs will also hunt, kill and eat small or vulnerable animals, which only compounds the threat they pose to pets, livestock and landscapes through disease.  Local not-for-profit Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is urging private landholders to take part in coordinated control efforts to help curb the population. The group is inviting landholders to a free workshop on October 16 that will cover best-practice control techniques and practical, on-ground management. “Pigs can breed prolifically, meaning that ad hoc shooting as a control meth...

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...

Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is calling on photographers of all ages and skill levels to take part in the 2025 'Protecting Your Patch' photo competition. Locals are invited to capture the unique beauty of the Peel-Harvey region and the effort put into protecting its biosecurity. The competition opens on 15 August and will close on 10 October, with winners to be announced in November. Entrants are encouraged to showcase the rich biodiversity of the area, from farmland, bush, or wetlands to backyard corners. Photos that show the actions taken to safeguard our environment from invasive weeds and pests are encouraged - participants might even capture the elusive fox and feral pig, or the less elusive feral rabbit.  Entries will be divided into two divisions: Open (16 and over) and Junior (under 16 years), and can be submitted via the PHBG website www.phbg.org or competition email photocomp@phbg.org. Entries will be judged by a panel comprising professional and experienced a...

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...

Peel-Harvey Biosecurity Group encourages local farmers to take advantage of a valuable opportunity through the Healthy Estuaries WA and Soils – New Horizons programs, which aim to support better fertiliser decision-making and protect the health of our region’s waterways and estuaries. This soil testing program aims to help farmers make informed, cost-effective nutrient decisions while improving long-term soil productivity. With over $5,000 in value per participating farm, this initiative is designed to benefit both producers and the environment. Join over 2,000 Western Australian farmers already working to improve soil health and reduce nutrient loss into our sensitive waterways. What’s included Successful applicants will receive: Soil sampling and chemical analysis for all eligible paddocks Colour-coded maps showing nutrient status and soil acidity Workshop access to discuss your results with peers and technical advisors One-on-one agronomic support from a qualified advisor of you...