Polyphagous shot-hole borer Quarantine Area

Learn about the quarantine rules they are in place to prevent the spread of the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB).

In November 2021, the Western Australian government expanded the PSHB Quarantine Area to include parts of City.

This decision was made by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Quarantine area restrictions

• Moving green waste outside the quarantine area is restricted to stop the potential spread the borer. Trees infected with the borer can get Fusarium dieback and die. It applies to:
  • Untreated wood used in construction, fencing and furniture
  • Cut branches, prunings, bark, firewood, plant mulch and wood chips.
• Pieces of wood larger than 2.5 cm wide should be chipped down to pieces smaller than 2.5 cm wide before they can leave the quarantine area.
• Living plants with woody stems wider than 2 cm cannot leave the quarantine area.
• A permit is needed to take green waste that can't be chipped into pieces less than 2.5 cm wide outside the quarantine area.
• Gardening machinery should be cleaned so that all the green waste is removed before it can leave the quarantine area. This includes tree lopping, gardening, mulching and wood chipping equipment.
• Customers hiring contractors to remove large trees in the quarantine area need to tell them about quarantine rules.
• Customers can continue to throw away their green waste in the general waste bin provided by the City.

Download quarantine map.

How to report borer damage to trees

If you think your tree might be damaged by borers, please contact the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The Department's Pest and Disease Information Service can be contacted on 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.

You can also download the Department's MyPestGuide Reporter app at the Google Play Store or Apple iTunes Store to let them know.

Further information

Customers can find out more by visiting the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website or contacting the Pest and Disease Information Service by phone on 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.