Western Australia has ended its attempt to eradicate polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), but the response continues as long-term management. Perth councils have welcomed neither the decision nor the uncertainty around what comes next: their concerns include limited consultation, future costs and how to protect the urban tree canopy. PSHB can kill susceptible trees; it is not a danger to people.
Why WA ended the eradication effort
In June 2025, the National Management Group concluded that eradicating PSHB from Western Australia was no longer technically feasible. The state said the decision reflected scientific data and expert advice. It did not mean the response was ending: the initial management focus would be to target infestations and reduce the risk of spread beyond metropolitan Perth. WA Government announcement
The state’s stated obstacles were the difficulty of detecting and controlling infestations before the beetle reproduces, the lack of effective chemical treatments to kill it, and the scale of tree removal that continued eradication would require. DPIRD Deputy Director General Mia Carbon said: “Ongoing eradication efforts would require the removal of a significant number of trees from Perth’s urban canopy and, given the biology and behaviour of the pest in the WA environment, are unlikely to be successful long term.” WA Government statement
DPIRD said it would work with industry, communities and local governments through an 18-month transition to build capacity. The state also urged people to keep reporting suspected signs and to observe movement restrictions on wood and plant material. WA Government announcement
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What Perth councils say about the decision
Victoria Park and Cambridge: concern about consultation
The Town of Victoria Park said it was disheartened by the decision and had not been told about the transition before it was announced. Its mayor called for an evidence-based response and transparent engagement. The Town of Cambridge also said its staff had not been consulted before the announcement. PerthNow reporting
City of Perth: awaiting direction and prioritising trees
The City of Perth said it was waiting for implementation advice and would maintain its “tree-first” approach. It reported committing more than $1 million to its response. A city spokesperson told PerthNow on 26 June 2025 that fewer than 40 trees had been removed because of PSHB since the outbreak began. The city identified Supreme Court Gardens, Council House Gardens, Stirling Gardens, Totterdell Park and John Oldham Park as parks under pest control notices. PerthNow, 26 June 2025
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Subiaco and Peppermint Grove: the local removal burden
Leaders in Subiaco and Peppermint Grove criticised the decision and raised concerns about the burden on councils. PerthNow reported on 28 June 2025 that 169 trees had been removed in Subiaco and more than 200 in Peppermint Grove. Peppermint Grove’s chief executive questioned whether coordinating 30 metropolitan councils with different resources and levels of impact would be effective. PerthNow, 28 June 2025
Stirling, Joondalup and WALGA: who pays over the long term?
Stirling and Joondalup raised concerns about future costs and responsibility after the transition period. Joondalup said it was monitoring risk, auditing street-tree hosts and considering preventative treatments. These are reported plans, not evidence that a particular treatment is effective. PerthNow reporting
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The Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) called for a long-term funding commitment, greater transparency, research and public education. WALGA President Karen Chappel said: “This failure will have significant implications for Local Government, who are already spending millions to control PSHB and increase tree canopy, and will now face the additional, ongoing costs of managing or removing infected and dying trees in public parks and streets.” WALGA statement
What the removal figures show—and do not show
The published figures describe different places, dates and potentially different scopes. They should not be added together as though they were a single, current tally.
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- WALGA stated that 4,734 infested mature trees had been removed as of its 2025 transition response. WALGA, 2025
- PerthNow reported that more than 4,700 infested trees had been removed on 30 June 2025; its figure may use a different cutoff or scope from WALGA’s. PerthNow, 30 June 2025
- PerthNow’s 28 June 2025 report said 169 trees had been removed in Subiaco and more than 200 in Peppermint Grove. PerthNow, 28 June 2025
- PerthNow reported that the City of Perth had committed more than $1 million and that fewer than 40 city trees had been removed due to PSHB since the outbreak began, according to a city spokesperson. PerthNow, 26 June 2025
The same 28 June report described a $7.2 million Tree Recovery program offering up to $1,140 per affected tree removed for one primary replacement tree, two additional trees and establishment items. That is a reported program offer, not a guarantee of current eligibility or funds; check the current program terms before relying on it. PerthNow, 28 June 2025
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the new approach affects councils and tree canopy
The policy shift changes the objective from trying to eliminate the pest to managing it and limiting spread. That leaves local governments planning for a continuing workload: identifying risk, responding to affected trees, communicating with residents and deciding what to plant after removals. Council criticism centres not only on the decision itself, but also on whether state direction, coordination and funding will match those responsibilities once the transition ends.
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The examples councils have described vary. The City of Perth says it is keeping a tree-first approach, while the City of Vincent reports monitoring, traps, treatment trials for high-value trees, planting native species it identifies as non-hosts, increasing annual planting and replacing trees removed at Hyde Park. These are reported activities, not proof that a treatment or planting strategy will prevent infestation. City of Vincent
What to do if you suspect a tree is affected
Do not prune, remove or dispose of a suspected tree while waiting for advice. The City of Swan directs residents to seek DPIRD advice and use the department’s reporting channels. Movement restrictions apply to wood and plant material in the Perth quarantine area, and requirements depend on the zone and can change. Check DPIRD’s current map and instructions before moving any material. City of Swan guidance
Quick Recap
- Leave the suspected tree and any associated wood or plant material in place.
- Report the signs through DPIRD’s current reporting channels and follow its advice.
- Check the current quarantine map and zone-specific rules before transporting or disposing of any material.
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