Western Australia’s shift from trying to eradicate polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) to managing it prompted Perth councils to question how they were consulted and who would pay for the continuing work. The technical decision was made by the National Management Group; the WA Government is responsible for implementing and funding the state response. Management has continued, including targeted surveillance, pruning and removal of high-risk infested trees.
Why WA stopped pursuing eradication
On 19 June 2025, the WA Government announced that the National Management Group had determined eradication of PSHB in Western Australia was no longer technically feasible. The group’s decision was based on the difficulty of detecting and controlling infestations before beetles reproduce, the lack of effective chemical treatments for eradication, and the scale of tree removal that continued attempts could require in Perth’s urban canopy despite a low likelihood of success. The state announcement described a transition to management aimed at slowing spread and protecting healthy trees and horticulture.
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This was a change in objective, not an end to the response. The National Management Group made the technical determination; the WA Government set out how the state would move into management and fund its response. The government said in June 2025 that it had provisioned $26.5 million for the response in the 2025–26 state budget and $2.17 million for three research projects. Those were commitments announced at the time, not a current spending total or an estimate of the response’s eventual cost.
What Perth councils objected to
In its 28 June 2025 report, PerthNow reported criticism from council leaders about limited consultation, the transfer of ongoing work and costs to local governments, and what they viewed as inadequate funding. The remarks reflect those speakers’ concerns; the report does not establish a reconciled account of council costs.
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- Subiaco Mayor David McMullen said the city was disappointed by the decision and concerned about its financial implications. PerthNow reported that 169 trees had been removed in Subiaco by that time.
- Shire of Peppermint Grove CEO Don Burnett questioned whether a coordinated program across 30 metropolitan local governments with differing priorities, budgets, resources and levels of impact would work effectively.
- WALGA president Karen Chappel said councils were already spending millions to control PSHB and increase tree canopy, and would face additional ongoing costs managing or removing infected and dying trees in public parks and streets.
PerthNow also reported that more than 2,000 trees had been cut down across the western suburbs and that six of the area’s seven local government districts were experiencing rapid tree deaths. These are figures attributed to the 2025 report, not a current statewide count.
The sources available do not establish an independent cost model, a reconciled future-cost total by council, or a separately verified estimate of future canopy loss. The scale of those future costs therefore remains undetermined in the cited material.
What management means for trees and residents
DPIRD says PSHB tunnels through trunks and branches and introduces Fusarium fungus. The fungus disrupts the tree’s vascular system and the movement of water and nutrients, and can lead to the tree’s death. The beetle is roughly the size of a sesame seed.
Signs that may warrant a report
Possible signs include small, approximately 1 mm shot-holes, galleries, dieback, staining or lesions, frass, and gumming. These signs are not a confirmed diagnosis. DPIRD advises reporting suspected sightings through MyPestGuide Reporter or its Pest and Disease Information Service. If sending a photo, include a pen or ruler for scale.
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Surveillance, pruning and removal continue
DPIRD’s November 2025 FAQ describes the management response as including targeted surveillance and management, such as pruning and removing high-risk infested trees. The shift away from eradication does not mean every affected tree is removed or that all tree work stops; the response is focused on managing risk and slowing spread.
Check movement rules before moving plant material
As of 8 October 2026, DPIRD’s PSHB information page says a Quarantine Area Notice covers the Perth metropolitan area, with restrictions on moving firewood, green waste, live plants and plant material. DPIRD advises buying firewood where it will be burned and not moving wood outside Perth metropolitan area. Requirements can change, so check the current notice before moving material. Do not prune, transport or dispose of potentially affected material in a way that breaches those rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How tree-recovery grants changed
The grant figures reported in 2025 and the terms of the later grant round are different and should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Program information | What was reported or offered | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Recovery program reported by PerthNow, 28 June 2025 | Up to $1,140 per PSHB-affected tree removed, for one primary replacement tree, two additional trees and associated establishment items. | This is the amount and description in the 2025 article; it is not the later round’s rate. |
| WA Tree Recovery Local Government Grant Program, round two | Local governments could apply for $1,500 per tree removed due to PSHB to support planting three replacement trees. A separate futureproof stream offered up to $100,000 per project for proactive canopy planting. | Round two applications closed on 3 July 2026; these were round-specific terms, not an open application offer. |
The WA Government’s program page, last updated 25 September 2026, says round two awarded more than $3.3 million to 26 local governments, supporting the planting of more than 10,000 trees. The replacement stream addressed trees removed because of PSHB; the futureproof stream supported proactive canopy planting. These local-government grants are distinct from the state response funding announced in 2025.
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