Embedded Files
Who we are
Who we are
The Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to managing declared pests across the Peel-Harvey region of Western Australia. We were established in 2014 following community concerns about escalating infestations of weeds and feral animals.
Today, we operate under the model rules for incorporated associations. Our committee comprises community and local government representatives from Serpentine Jarrahdale, Murray, Mandurah, Waroona, and Harvey.
In 2017, PHBG was recognised by the Minister for Agriculture and Food under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, becoming one of twelve Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs) implementing a Declared Pest Rate (DPR) in 2018.
Our vision
Our vision
Our vision is to minimise the negative impacts of declared pests—both plants and animals—to levels that are locally acceptable. Achieving this requires integrating pest management into the daily activities of everyone who lives, works, or operates within our operational area.
Our services
Our services
To realise this vision, we offer:
Information for landholders: Providing guidance on pest identification and management strategies.
Skill building for landholders: Conducting workshops and training sessions to enhance pest control capabilities.
Connecting neighbours: Facilitating collaboration among neighbouring landholders for coordinated pest management.
Resources for schools: Offering educational materials to raise awareness about biosecurity among students.
Our approach
Our approach
We aim to deliver workshops, events, community programs, education, and support to engage the community in pest management. To develop effective strategies, we rely on accurate information. Without the help of community members like you, we can't get a full, up-to-date picture.
We ask for your help in identifying:
'Clean' areas: Locations free from declared pests.
'Hot spots' or 'source' areas: Regions with high pest populations or sources of infestation.
Collaborative opportunities: Areas where landholders are willing to work together for more significant results.
Local impacts: Effects of pest presence or absence on local ecosystems and agriculture.
Operational boundary
Operational boundary
To determine if your property falls within our operational boundary, please refer to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's interactive map. Enter your postcode to check.
Why?
Why?
Livelihood
Livelihood
Pests are a significant burden on the Australian economy, particularly in agriculture.
They can lead to production losses, increased operational costs, and in some cases, reduced terms of trade. This directly impacts profitability and the livelihoods of producers.
Beyond financial concerns, pests can also affect a producer's well-being. For example, repeated stock maulings by wild dogs can cause significant emotional stress for animals and farmers.
Environment
Environment
Pests can significantly impact the natural environment.
Weeds alter fire frequency, nutrient cycling, water availability, and soil structure. Pest animals increase grazing and predation, compete for food and shelter, and can spread disease. Overall, pests reduce species abundance and diversity and can hinder ecosystem restoration efforts. The regeneration of native plants and the recolonisation of an area by native animals is often impossible if pest populations exceed a critical level, which can be surprisingly low.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Pests can affect urban properties, pets and green spaces.
Many people no longer rely on the land for their livelihood. This can reduce motivation to control pests, whether for food security or environmental reasons, especially when the benefits aren’t immediately visible. However, pests can disrupt daily life even in urban areas. Rabbits might burrow under your shed, foxes could go after your chooks or raid your bins, and toxic weeds might take over the park you take your kids and dog to.
Co-ordinated, community-led action is considered the most effective approach for management of widespread and established pests such as foxes and feral pigs.
How?
How?
"A new, lower pest population is only possible if control tools are effective, where there is buy-in from the community, and landscape level application.
Community buy-in may be the limiting factor and will usually require considerable investment in time and expertise to achieve the level of coverage to align with the size of effective management units."
At Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group, we know that pest management requires consistent, ongoing effort. It's not enough to invest resources one year and neglect follow-up actions. Without continuous management, pest control efforts can easily be undone as neighbouring areas reintroduce infestations. We understand the challenges of gaining and maintaining government and community support over the long term.
There's no single solution to this complex issue. Instead, we take a comprehensive approach, combining ground-level engagement with landholders, strategic lobbying, and everything in-between to keep the momentum going and protect our region's biosecurity.
Declared Pest Rate (DPR)
Declared Pest Rate (DPR)
Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act), the Western Australian government raises a Declared Pest Rate from landholders in certain regions. It then matches the funds raised from the rate dollar-for-dollar, doubling the funds available.
The combined funds are made available to Recognised Biosecurity Groups (RBGs), like PHBG, which use them to drive activities aimed at controlling declared pests, such as weeds and feral animals.
Thanks to this funding mechanism, RBGs are able to offer valuable resources, advice, and assistance to landholders. This makes it easier to manage pests effectively. Pooled resources mean that landholders can access support they may not be able to achieve individually, which increases the chances of more collaborative pest management across a specific area.
For further details, refer to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which oversees biosecurity measures in WA.
How much is it?
How much is it?
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the DPR fee, contact PHBG (or your local biosecurity group if you are not in Peel Harvey) directly.
Learn more
Learn more
Declared Pest Rate (DPIRD)
Pay declared pest rate (WA Government)
Declared Pest Rate - why it matters to you [PDF] (DPIRD)
Stay informed
Stay informed
We regularly post updates about our events and activities on social media. Keep up to date with what's happening by following us on Facebook or subscribing to our newsletter.
Report abuse