The Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is asking residents in the region to report significant infestations of cotton bush in their local areas.
Continuing its support of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development through their cotton bush compliance program over the coming months, the group is calling on landowners to be vigilant against the pest weed.
“We are urging members of the public to make their report count by providing information that can be verified – an accurate and detailed location is critical,” PHBG executive officer Jonelle Cleland said.
“A photo or description that indicates the size of the infestation is very useful. We need to be able to distinguish reports of a couple of isolated plants from big patches of cotton bush,” she said.
This year the group has requested compliance be focused on areas east of South Western Highway, which has historically been a significant source area.
Landowners are legally responsible for the management of declared pests under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.
Those who are found to not be actively managing and controlling the cotton bush on their property can be issued with a pest control notice (PCN).
Failure to comply with a PCN can lead to further compliance actions from the Department.
Landowners can contact the PHBG to find out how to manage cotton bush on their property as well as any other declared pest they may be struggling with.
Reports on the declared pest can be emailed to the Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group on comms.phbg@gmail.com
