Compliance

Biosecurity groups in the South West of Western Australia have been working on the assumption that education, engagement and capacity building are the precursors to compliance. In a large number of cases, investment in these precursors will render compliance completely unnecessary. However, the hard work that biosecurity group’s do across this continuum can be very easily undermined if compliance is perceived to be totally absent or is never forthcoming.

At present the only one of our priority pests has an attached compliance program coordinated by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is cotton bush. Both private landholders and managers of the public estate are part of this compliance program.

The program has been highly successful with growing awareness of cotton bush, as well as the consequences of inaction. It has also

The PHBG, through its membership of the South West Biosecurity Group Alliance, is actively lobbying Government to include other priority pests on the Department's compliance program.

The South West Biosecurity Group Alliance recently submitted a briefing paper to the Minister of Agriculture and is eagerly awaiting a response.

Cotton bush

compliance program

Now with long term funding from the pest rate the Group will be able to validate community reports all year round and initiate communication with landholders of properties containing cotton bush infestations. The landholder will be offered information and support towards control of the infestation reported.

If this avenue fails to deliver results then the property information will be passed along to the Department for consideration in its annual compliance program.

2017-18 Cotton Bush Compliance Report public.pdf

2017/18 Cotton Bush compliance report

2018/19 Cotton Bush compliance report