Regional Natural Asset Management - July 2012
Myrtle rust has arrived!
To date there are over 1500 outbreaks in Queensland and more than 120 host species identified. Left untreated, the disease can cause deformed leaves, heavy defoliation of branches, dieback, stunted growth and even plant death. The disease is highly mobile due its spread by spores that are dispersed by wind and physical contact with clothing, animals (even insects) and vehicles so in reality it has only been a matter of time before a signficant introduction to the Far North occurred. Over the last 6 weeks outbreaks have been detected at Mossman, greater Cairns and Mareeba. Staff at the Cairns Mossman Revegetation Nursery have intiated a exemplarary response after the disease was found within the nursery. Following the response naturalised outbreaks have been detected in Mossman Gorge, Cairns, Daintree, Mareeba, Atherton and Malanda on mature trees as well as in revegtation sites and private gardens.
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Figure 1 Myrtle rust spores and lesions on Beach Cherry (Eugenia reinwardtiana) left and Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) right and potential national distribution centre.
The outbreak will have immediate impacts on the operational aspects of community and commercial nurseries with resource intensive management requirements and measures required in the short term. The ornamental horticultural trade and local government parks and gardens sectors will be drawn into the response with many highly utilised species and varieties already known to be suceptible and possibly more to come. Applying a triage approach to some species and situations will be necessary. In the long term a reconsideration of species selection for both the commercial and revegetation sector may be required as we determine which species are vulnerable and to what degree. At this point in time it is a matter of responding as best we can and waiting to see the extent impact of the diseases which is a still a big unknown. To this end local governments need to mobilise for the immediate response as well as begin to prepare for the required future adaptations. The reality of the outbreak for the passionate staff in our council nurseries and revegetation units is a highly technical and resource hungry response combined with potentially significant personal stress and exasperation as the disease takes hold and there is very little they can do to fight it. We will be maintaining a watching brief and communicating the latest through existing networks.
Call 13 25 23 or fill in the online form to report any suspected sightings.
For more information refer to the latest information in the Queensland Dept. Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries website.
This month in natural asset management:
NAMAC met in Ingham in May. On the agenda were; response to Terrain NRM EOI for revegetation and restoration service providers, myrtle rust outbreak, future of the National Siam Weed Eradication Program, task force operations, processes and opportunities with incoming councils, roadside weed planning with Dept. Main Roads, and funding outcomes from the commonwealth Biodiversity Fund.
FNQ Pest Advisory Forum convened in Ingham alongside the NAMAC in MAy. Over 75 people attended including 30 landholders for a packed agenda. Key topics on the table were managing trespassers on private property. Queensland Police detailed the in and outs and processes in realtion to trespass, specifically from uninvited recreational hunters. The latest on the soon to be launched FNQPAF website and pest management resource, local program in the Hinchinbrook Shire, weed management in Girringun and Girramay National Parks were also featured.
Upcoming events:
- Natural Asset Managment Advisory Committtee – August 24, Cairns
- FNQ Pest Advisory Forum – August 23, Cairns