Published on Thursday, 5 March 2026 at 8:34:55 AM
Polyphagous shot-hole borer eNews
PSHB national preparedness and local engagement
PSHB Stakeholder Workshop – 19 March
The PSHB Stakeholder Workshop on 19 March will outline progress on the delivery of the Transition to Management (T2M) plan, the 'Slow the Spread' strategy and local research findings to date. It will also feature international experts sharing lessons from California and South Africa. While in-person attendance is strictly by invitation only, stakeholders across Australia are invited to join virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please register early as places are limited. (See article below for further information and the registration link).
Meet the PSHB team at events in March
In March the PSHB response team will be hosting informational stalls at Hyde Park Festival, Perth Caravan & Camping Show, and EnviroFEST at Whiteman Park. Visit us to learn about Transition to Management (T2M), wood movement restrictions, and how to identify and report signs of infestation. See article down below.
Industry Capacity Building & Training (CB&T)
Our new PSHB industry workshop series is officially under way, with successful sessions already held for the nursery and arboriculture sectors, including avocadoes, stone fruit, pears and truffles. These workshops are vital for empowering 'Industry Champions' with practical biosecurity tools.
Steve Nel
PSHB Incident Controller
Source and Photo: DPIRD
Join the PSHB National Stakeholder Workshop 19 March
As the response to the PSHB continues to evolve, staying informed is vital. We are pleased to announce the upcoming National PSHB Stakeholder Workshop – a day of strategic discussion regarding the transition to long-term management of this pest in Australia.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday 19 March 2026
- Time: 9 am – 3 pm AWST (In-person registration from 8.30 am)
- Venue: The University Club of Western Australia and online via Microsoft Teams.
- Attendance Online: Open to all interested, including from across Australia. Register here. Places are limited. Register early.
- Attendance In-Person: By personal invitation only (due to limited venue capacity).
Why Join Us?
This workshop brings together local leaders and world-renowned experts to share key insights on managing PSHB. Professor Shannon Lynch will specifically discuss her experience managing the pest in California’s commercial orchards and at Disneyland.
Program Highlights:
- International Keynote Speakers: Hear from PSHB global authorities: Professor Shannon Lynch (University of California, Davis), Professor Francois Roets (University of Stellenbosch, South Africa), and Professor Brett Hurley (University of Pretoria, South Africa).
- Strategic Insights: Opening address by Dr Mia Carbon (Deputy Director-General, DPIRD) on the national transition program, and national 'Slow the Spread' strategy.
- Local Research: Updates on WA Agricultural Research Collaboration projects involving Murdoch University, Curtin University, and The University of WA.
- Case Studies: Real-world lessons from Kings Park and the WA horticultural industry.
- Open Forum: A dedicated session to engage directly with technical experts and the incident response team.
Source and Photo: DPIRD [Professor Shannon Lynch from the University of California, Davis, at Hyde Park, while visiting Perth in October 2024.]
PSHB stalls at events in March
The DPIRD PSHB response team will have informational stalls at upcoming events in March 2026. Drop by our stalls to learn more about PSHB and the Transition to Management, Quarantine Area and wood movement restriction, the signs and symptoms to look for, how to report a possible infestation, and get your questions answered.
- Hyde Park Festival– 1-2 March
- UWA EnviroFest– 10 March
- Perth Caravan & Camping Show– 19-22 March
- EnviroFEST at Whiteman Park– 21 March.
- DWER Tree Recovery Rebate Kiosk– 17, 23, 24 & 25 March
- Kwinana Children's Festival – 28 March
- Wetlands Community Day – 21 March
For more information about upcoming events, please visit the PSHB website.
Source and Photo: City of Joondalup
PSHB industry workshops under way
The PSHB Capacity Building and Training (CB&T) team has hit the ground running this year, launching a new series of workshops specifically designed for the nursery, arboriculture and landscaping industries, as well as commercial growers.
These sessions are structured to provide stakeholders with practical resources, technical tools, and the knowledge required to confidently manage PSHB within their operations and implement best-practice biosecurity.
Successful kick-off in February
We have already seen strong engagement with the successful completion of our first three sessions:
- 10 February:WA nurseries (Canning Vale & Online)
- 17 February:WA arboriculture (Canning Vale & Online)
- 24 February:WA growers – In-person (Manjimup & Online).
The feedback from these sessions has been invaluable in helping refine future activities and empowering 'Industry Champions' to lead biosecurity efforts within their organisations.
Training program overview
The curriculum is divided into two focused workshops. Participants have the flexibility to attend a single session or the full series:
- Workshop 1: Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Surveillance– Focusing on proactive measures to keep sites borer-free and implementing effective monitoring.
- Workshop 2: Hosts, Sampling, Treatment, and Disposal– Exploring technical aspects of host identification, sampling protocols, and approved disposal methods.
Upcoming dates: workshop 1 and industry briefings
We continue to offer a mix of online and in-person sessions to ensure accessibility for both local and national partners. The next workshop will be on:
- Wednesday 4 March:WA growers – In-person (Bunbury & Online).
- 10 March: WA growers – In-person (Kalamunda & Online). Location: The Zig Zag Cultural Centre, 9:30 am to 12 pm.
- 12 March: WA growers – In-person (Location TBC).
What’s next?
Workshop 2 will commence following the conclusion of the first series. Stay tuned to the PSHB eNews for the announcement of those dates.
More information
For more information about upcoming workshops and other CBT activities to support industries, contact the team at PSHB.CBT.Industry@dpird.wa.gov.au. For general information, contact PSHB.CBT.Information@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Source and Photo: DPIRD
As our community works together to restore the urban canopy following the impacts of PSHB, the WA Tree Recovery team from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is hitting the road.
Throughout March 2026, a series of community kiosks will be popping up at various local libraries and community hubs. These stations are designed to provide face-to-face support for residents navigating the tree replacement process and the Western Australian Government’s Treebate program ($150 rebate scheme).
Why visit a Kiosk?
While information is available online, we know that many residents have specific questions about their gardens or need a little extra help with the paperwork. At the kiosks, you can:
- Get rebate help: Staff will walk you through the ServiceWA app or provide paper claim forms if you’ve had a tree removed by DPIRD.
- Expert advice: Speak with experts about which tree species are resilient to the borer and will thrive in your local soil.
- Report sightings: Learn how to identify and report those tiny, tell-tale 'shot-holes' (about the size of a ballpoint pen tip) to protect the rest of your garden.
Kiosk locations & times
- 17 March 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Claremont: Bay View Community Centre, 64 Bay View Tce
- 18 March 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Claremont: Bay View Community Centre, 64 Bay View Tce
- 19 March 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Melville: AH Bracks Library, Cnr Stock Rd & Canning Hwy
- 23 March 9:30 am – 12:00 pm East Fremantle: Glyde-In Community Learning Centre, 42 Glyde St
- 24 March 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm Nedlands: Nedlands Library, 60 Stirling Hwy
- 25 March 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Subiaco: Subiaco Library, 237 Rokeby Rd
- 26 March 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Nedlands: Nedlands Library, 60 Stirling Hwy
Let’s replant together
The loss of a mature tree can change the feel of a backyard or a streetscape overnight. These kiosks are about more than just administration; they are about coming together to ensure WA stays green, shaded and beautiful for generations to come. Bring your questions, your photos and your gardening goals. Any questions about the rebate scheme or the community kiosks can be sent to treerecovery@dwer.wa.gov.au.
Source and Graphic: DWER
Further information
Polyphagous shot-hole borer eNews is produced by the response team at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). If you have any questions or information to share, please email pshbpublicinformation@dpird.wa.gov.au.
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