News & Updates

Residents across the Peel-Harvey region are being invited to once again have their say on local biosecurity issues, with Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) opening its biennial community survey. Now in its second round, the survey builds on previous community feedback and will help guide the direction of biosecurity services across the region over the next two years. Key issues in Peel-Harvey include foxes, rabbits, wild pigs and invasive weeds such as cottonbush and Cape tulip. PHBG Communications Officer Suzie Winterton said the survey is key to tracking community awareness and ensuring services continue to meet changing needs.  "This is the second time we've run this survey, which means we can start to see how community understanding and priorities shift over time," she said.  "Biosecurity isn't just a farming issue - it affects everyone, from people living in our more urban spaces to large rural landholders. This survey will help us focus our efforts where ...

In April 2026, DPIRD put a Quarantine Area in place around South Perth and Como to curtail the spread of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), which was detected in March.  Learn more about Qfly, what is being done about the most recent incursion and how you can report suspected Qfly on the DPIRD website .

Students at Mundijong Primary School have taken action to support local wildlife after learning about the challenges facing Western Australia’s iconic black cockatoos. During Term 1 this year, 28 Year 6 students used Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group’s (PHBG) Black Cockatoo Resource Box to learn about the threats facing our iconic and endangered local black cockatoo species, including habitat loss and competition for nesting hollows. Inspired by what they learned, the students organised a school fundraiser to contribute to local conservation efforts. By the end of March they had raised just over $400, which the students chose to donate to the Black Cockatoo Project run by local not-for-profit, Landcare SJ. PHBG commended the students for their initiative and enthusiasm in turning classroom learning into real-world action. “This is a really great example of young people turning what they learn at school into meaningful action,” said Ms Fran Lengeling, PHBG’s Learning and Engagement Coordin...

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...

Twenty local landholders gathered last Saturday despite the heat to tackle one of Australia’s most costly invasive pests at a hands-on rabbit control workshop hosted by the Peel-Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG). The Practical Rabbit Control for Small Landholders workshop was held at a site with active rabbit warrens in North Dandalup. Participants learned to identify rabbit activity, mark burrow entrances, use a warren smoker, and set pindone bait stations correctly. PHBG Feral Animal Officer Lacey Ford was encouraged to see how many landholders took advantage of free bait station loan equipment at the workshops and said rabbit baiting could be a highly effective control method when used correctly. “It’s crucial to follow label instructions, and using bait stations to reduce off-target risk and coordinating efforts with neighbours can extend successful rabbit control across property lines,” she said. Ms Ford acknowledged that pesticide use can be controversial, but said that baiting is ...

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 ...

  Peel-Harvey landholders are being asked to collect rabbit blood samples this summer, after new evidence suggests most local rabbits may now be immune to a key biocontrol tool, calicivirus. Testing by the Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) earlier this year found that two-thirds of sampled rabbits carried antibodies to one or both strains of calicivirus. That means a broad release of the virus would likely have little effect on rabbit numbers. PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell said the group now needs a much larger pool of samples to identify where the virus could still make a difference when released late this summer. “Each year we plan staged calicivirus releases across the Peel-Harvey region,” she said. “The study we did last summer was small but showed high resistance levels. To achieve the most effective impact this season, we need more samples from more properties.” PHBG is calling on local shooters, whether landholders or professionals, to pick up a free ‘shoot...