Local governments across Western Australia are organising tree planting subsidies and giveaways in May, with a renewed focus on tackling the dangerous polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) infestation that threatens the state's native trees.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been assisting local councils in combating the invasive beetle, which has been devastating WA's urban canopy.
"DPIRD's capacity building and training team is providing practical support, training and resources to upskill local government, communities and industry," a DPIRD spokesperson said. "The department recently hosted a national stakeholder workshop – including local governments – to share key local, national and international insights and expert advice."
PSHB infests trees and kills the vascular tissue, causing dieback and tree death. The invasive beetle species was detected in WA in 2021 and has been the subject of a nationally funded biosecurity response to stop the rapid spread and protect WA's treescape.
The DPIRD spokesperson told PerthNow the national response has transitioned from an eradication strategy to a long-term management approach, after it was determined it was no longer feasible to eradicate the borer.
"It is landholders' responsibility to manage their own trees and decide on borer management options – as with other existing plant pests or diseases," the spokesperson said. "A WA PSHB host list is publicly available on the DPIRD website and has been provided to local governments. This list helps stakeholders identify tree species that are less susceptible to shot-hole borer to help reduce the pest's potential impact."
The WA Government's tree recovery program provides funding to local governments and residents to replant trees lost to shot-hole borer, delivered via the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
Applications to request a verge tree in East Fremantle for this year close on April 30. Applications received after that will be planted in the 2027 program. The City of Canning's annual free tree giveaway event, 'Grow for it', returns on May 3 from 8am to 12pm at the civic and administration centre.
Throughout May, Cockburn residents can access a 50 per cent discount on up to 20 native plants to plant in their gardens. Fremantle residents can purchase up to 20 native plants for $3 each from Apace Nursery. The Town of East Fremantle received $22,873 last year through the program to plant 30 native trees, replacing 10 trees lost due to the invasive pest.
The town has reconfigured its verge tree planting program for 2026 after about 140 new verge trees were planted last year. "The town's verge tree program provides significant environmental, social, and economic benefits to the Town of East Fremantle, including bolstering the town's tree canopy, beautifying our streetscapes, providing a sense of place, improved community wellbeing, shade, temperature moderation and providing habitat for fauna," it said. "The town aims to accommodate all eligible requests from residents."
All verge trees are planted by town staff, who assess a range of factors to ensure the trees have the highest chance of surviving. Factors include line of sight issues, underground and above-ground services, infrastructure, soil quality, tree species suitability, growth habits, waterwise characteristics and pest risks.
"The town will continue to work closely with DPIRD and follow their guidance regarding management of PSHB," it said. "It is the town's intention to retain verge trees that are healthy, and do not cause any safety concerns." Acceptable verge tree species lists are under review to mitigate the borer risks.
The Town of Claremont has also opened applications for winter plantings until April 30, with the opportunity to pay for a tree to be planted across Claremont Park, Lake Claremont, Stirling Road Park and Jean and John Mulder Park. All seven of Perth's western suburb local governments are also getting involved in this year's Native Plant Subsidy Scheme, which is returning during the month of May. It will allow residents to save on native plants by purchasing subsidised native seedlings from Apace WA for $3.00 each.
