Project Dieback in Focus

Phytophthora dieback continues to be the greatest threat to biodiversity across the South West of WA. Project Dieback was initiated to provide a cross land tenure approach to Phytophthora Dieback management and to build the capacity to manage the threat across and within five of WA’s natural resource management regions.

Established in 2005 in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and with the support of the State Government’s Dieback Consultative Council (DCC), Project Dieback’s strategic approach to dieback mapping and analysis of risk is incorporated into the regional dieback management plans covering five NRM regions.  An integrated framework of the regional plans was developed to drive strategic and cost effective implementation.

In 2011, the focus has been on the ‘Protection by Prevention’ of biodiversity assets within the Region while fostering strategic and multidisciplinary partnerships for continued investment to manage this disease. 

This year with the support of State NRM funding, Project Dieback has:

• Developed a state wide Dieback Information Delivery and Management System (DIDMS) interactive planning tool for best practice management
• Undertaken risk assessment and implemented strategic actions plan to protect Lesueur National Park (in the Northern Agricultural NRM region)
• Implemented strategic risk reduction actions and consolidated resources on previous South Coast NRM investments in Cape Arid, Fitzgerald River National Parks, areas in the Walpole Wilderness and priority private remnant vegetation in Esperance and Ravensthorpe Shires
• Refined best practice management options for South Coast local government operations, industries and community groups and developed a framework to support adoption

 
http://didms.gaiaresources.com.au/

Efforts to improve knowledge and skills base of regional community groups in identifying and managing dieback was achieved through a range of planning and operational projects.  For example, strategic and operational scale mapping identified specific management actions for road networks surrounding the Fitzgerald River National Park, facilitating development and integration of hygiene procedures into local government operations. 

Additionally, high quality off-reserve remnant vegetation has been identified for protection in the Esperance region and the disease status of selected trails in the Walpole Wilderness has been established collaboratively between Project Dieback and recreational user groups.  Relative risk assessments have generated a series of practical activities including road/drainage works, soil/gravel movements, washdown facilities (vehicular and foot) in strategic locations, signage installation, and stakeholder training.

In conjunction with these projects, numerous community engagement activities such as dieback awareness and training workshops; presentations, print media and promotional material; and website products have been developed to build capacity to protect valued flora within the region.