Mosquito Menace Plagues Northern Suburbs
Residents in Perth's northern suburbs are battling a severe mosquito and midge outbreak originating from Warradale Park in Landsdale, with locals describing the situation as unbearable and demanding immediate action from the City of Wanneroo.
The problem stems from unprecedented winter rainfall that has left low-lying areas of the park flooded with stagnant water, creating perfect breeding conditions for insects. The crisis has affected neighbourhoods across Landsdale, Darch and Madeley, with residents reporting constant biting and inability to use outdoor spaces.
Council Response Under Fire
Wanneroo Councillor Hugh Nguyen has launched a scathing attack on the city's handling of the situation, describing their response as inadequate and demanding the stagnant water be pumped out immediately.
"It's a huge problem for everyone living around there," Cr Nguyen stated. "People are being bitten constantly, the park is borderline unusable, and residents can't even open their doors at night without mosquitoes swarming in."
The councillor revealed that despite community requests to avoid chemical treatments, the city proceeded with pest control chemicals that kill insect larvae. "We specifically requested they don't use a chemical solution as there are kids and pets everywhere," he explained.
Cr Nguyen argued that the chemical approach had proven ineffective, particularly after additional rainfall rendered the treatment obsolete. "We're still left with water sitting there, full of larvae, and it's only a matter of time before there's another outbreak," he warned.
Festival Relocated Due to Safety Concerns
The severity of the situation was highlighted when the annual Landsdale Fun Fest, scheduled for late October, was forced to relocate from Warradale Park to Highview Park in Alexander Heights due to community safety concerns.
"The community was up in arms again because it's meant to be a Landsdale festival, and it's always been held at Warradale," Cr Nguyen said. "If the city hadn't dragged their feet and pumped the water out sooner, this could have been avoided."
Perth experienced its wettest winter in 29 years with over 500mm of rain falling across June, July and August. August was particularly extreme, recording the city's wettest conditions since 1955, leaving groundwater and low-lying areas saturated throughout the region.
Council Defends Approach
The City of Wanneroo has defended its actions, stating it continues to carry out regular inspections and manages outbreaks using products approved by the WA Health Department.
However, the city maintains that pumping water from the swales is unlikely to provide a long-term solution due to the high groundwater table in the area. Instead, they're investigating engineering options to manage flooding in the park's swales.
Cr Nguyen, who previously served as a councillor for Wanneroo's south-west ward from 2013 to 2021 and was recently re-elected on October 18, remains unconvinced. He has been writing to the city for weeks requesting simple drainage solutions.
"Our request was simple - once the rain eased, just drain the water out," he said. "Pump it out into the street drains, or the drain pits around the neighbourhood. That would have got rid of most of the larvae in the process and broken the cycle."
Political Action Escalates
At Tuesday night's agenda briefing, Cr Nguyen flagged his intent to move a notice of motion to push the city to take more decisive action. The motion is expected to be considered at the city's next ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, November 25.
"I'm not asking for a long-term solution right now, we just need action immediately," Cr Nguyen emphasised. "What I'm concerned about is the immediate impact on the community, and that needs to be addressed right now."
Residents continue to endure the mosquito plague while waiting for a permanent solution to the flooded park conditions that have turned their neighbourhood into a breeding ground for pests.
