The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is responding to a detection of myrtle rust in an isolated and remote part of the Kimberley.

Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is a fungal disease which infects plants in the Myrtaceae family. Common Australian Myrtaceae species include eucalypts, peppermint trees, turpentine, bottlebrush, paperbark, tea tree and lilly pilly.

It was detected during targeted myrtle rust surveillance led by Queensland Agriculture, Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia and DPIRD.

Bushwalkers and travellers are urged to look for and report plants with signs of myrtle rust and take precautions when travelling in and out northern WA to reduce the spread of myrtle rust into other parts of WA.

For more information visit 👉 https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/myrtlerust

Resources:
Media Release
Fact Sheet

The TREEmendous Biosecurity Blitz aims to protect Western Australia’s trees from an increasing number of exotic pest and disease threats to our urban and bushland environments, and horticultural and forest industries.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) experts will hold workshops at Bunbury and Kings Park to describe the priority tree pests and diseases to be on alert for here in WA and demonstrate how to use the MyPestGuide Reporter app.

Whether you have trees in your backyard, in the local park or on your street, like to bushwalk, or work in forestry or horticulture, you can help protect our trees into the future by checking them for pests and diseases and reporting any you find.

This year, Biosecurity Blitz runs from 24 September to 24 October 2022 – that’s 30 days to look for, snap and send in a report of every tree pest and disease in your neighbourhood!

The annual Biosecurity Blitz is part of DPIRD’s commitment to delivering a robust biosecurity system to support our industries and protect our trees, environment and lifestyle.

Workshop details
Bunbury workshop Date: 4 October 2022 Time: 9:30am – 12:45pm Registration link: EventBrite
Kings Park – workshop 1 Date: 11 October 2022 Time: 9:30am – 12:45pm Registration link: EventBrite
Kings Park – workshop 2 Date: 14 October 2022 Time: 10:30am – 2pm Registration link: EventBrite

To find out more about the Biosecurity Blitz and sign up, go to: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-blitz

To discover training that Interlink Training provides in the biosecurity area, contact us today.

After a successful event in 2021, the Arboriculture Association of Western Australian will be presenting the WA Tree Climbing Championship 2022. The even takes place on Saturday 22nd October, from 7am to 4pm, at Point Walter Reserve, Bitcon.

As gold sponsors, Interlink Training would love to see you at this action packed event. This is an opportunity to see the best that Western Australia has to offer in the field of Climbing Arborists. Competition events will identify who is the fastest, most skilful, technical and accurate to be crowned the overall state champion.

Events on the day include:

• Work Climb
• Belayed Speed Climb
• Aerial Ascent
• Aerial Rescue
• Throw Line

In addition to a coffee van and food trucks, there will be plenty of free activities for the whole family, including kids climbing walls, kids face painting and balloon twisting.

A copy of the registration form for the WA Tree Climbing Championship 2022 can be accessed here. A flyer for the event can be seen here. A Gear Inspection Form must also be completed prior for climbers – see here.

In addition to the Arboricultural Association of Western Australia, this event is also presented in conjunction with the City of Melville, Western Power and STIHL.

ArbWest are holding their Members General Meeting & AGM Wednesday 21st September at Beavers Tree Service.

As part of the meeting there will be special presentations by:

• Steve Hayes (Interlink Training CEO)
• Chelsea Payne (Curator Arboriculture – Kings Park – Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority)

Details of the Members General Meeting

Where: Beaver Tree Services – 21 Cartwright Rd, Forrestdale
Date: 21st September 2022
Time: 6.30pm (anticipated 2 hours duration)
Food and beverages will be served.

RSVP is essential by Monday 19th September 2022.

For more information and RSVP slip, please see Arbwest – Notice of AGM Wed 21st Sept 2022.

After new penalties were introduced in Western Australia in 2018 to increase workplace safety and health offence penalties, the state has seen it’s first prison sentence due to charges including gross negligence. The WA Workplace Safety laws were introduced as a commitment to improving safety within the workplace by incentivising compliance via significant penalties.

In March 2020, Jake Williams and Fraser Pinchin were installing roof sheets on a shed approximately 9 meters high when strong winds appeared. Safety controls measures were not in place and Williams died after falling 9 meters from the apex of the roof, while Pinchin fell 7 meters and suffered several injuries.

Mark Thomas Withers, director of MT Sheds, was sentenced on Monday in the Esperance Magistrates Court to two years and two months imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, after pleading guilty to seven charges.

Among the charges was one for gross negligence against the company, which saw the company fined $550,000. Additional charges related to work being carried out without an appropriate High Risk Work (HRW) license or White Card, totaling an additional $55,000.

The fines and prison terms are the highest imposed under WA Workplace Safety and Health laws and within Australia.

More information can be found on the Western Australia WorkSafe site.