Waste Changes due to Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer Quarantine Area

A Quarantine Area (QA) covering the entire Perth metropolitan area is in place to stop the spread of polyphagous shot-hole borer (PHSB), with restrictions on the movement of wood, green waste, mulch, live plants and plant material.   

Quarantine Area (covering entire City of Melville)

Waste Changes

At this point, there are no changes to your bin and verge collections.

Residents can dispose of woody plant material (PSHB plants and materials) through their weekly collected lime green-lidded FOGO bin and their garden organics verge collections. This material will go through a commercial composting system which will kill the PSHB beetle.

Movement Restrictions

To limit the spread of shot-hole borer, the following restrictions apply to the movement of host plant material:  

• Host plant material must not be moved from the Management Zone to the Containment Zone or to outside the QA.  

• Host plant material must not be moved from within the QA to outside the QA.  

• Any machinery, equipment and vehicles used in the processing or handling of wood, including wood mulching and chipping, must be cleaned of all wood and plant material before being moved into the Containment Zone or outside of the QA.  

​These restrictions apply to host plant material such as unseasoned wood, green waste and mulch that is larger than 2.5 cm in diameter, and live plants with woody stems greater than 2 cm in diameter.  

Reporting Suspected Borer Activity

We strongly encourage residents to check trees and all other woody plant material on their property and report any signs of borer damage and suspected infections via the  

MyPestGuide™ Reporter app or contact the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or contact them by email.  

More Information About the Borer and Quarantine Area

For more information, including frequently asked questions, a list of host trees and  how to identify borer activity, please click here.