New centre will focus fight against deadly plant disease

THE battle against a disease that could devastate up to a quarter of the plants found in South-Western WA has become a little easier with the launch of the Centre for Phytophthora Science and Management at Murdoch University.

This Centre represents WA’s first cohesive research effort against the disease, involving collaborations with the Department of Conservation and Land Management, CSIRO, Alcoa and other research bodies locally and nationally.

Dr Judy Edwards MLA, Western Australian Minister for Environment and Heritage, officially launched the Centre at a meeting of the Dieback Information Group in June.

“The Centre will play a key role in developing practical strategies for combating the disease, which will support the implementation of a whole of State policy for Phytophthora management,” said Dr Edwards.

“Western Australia has long recognised the threat posed by this disease and the Western Australian government has implemented a Threat Abatement Plan for the management of Phytophthora diseases.

“The Centre will support the initiatives of the Plan, which relies on a combination of community, government and industry partners to manage bushland reserves, forests and fragile coastal heathlands to reduce the spread and impact of the pathogen.”

Centre Director Dr Giles Hardy said Phytophthora (which is also known as Jarrah Dieback) affects more than 2000 native plant species, and also threatens the survival of nectar-feeding animals such as honey possums and birds.

“The economic costs of this pathogen to forestry, horticulture, and the mining industry spreading unchecked is valued at millions of dollars, but the environmental costs are almost incalculable,” said Dr Hardy.