When we use the term peri-urban, we are talking about small landholdings on the fringes of towns and cities which are sought after by many people either for the lifestyle opportunities they offer, or the opportunity for small scale agricultural enterprises.
Peri-urban landholdings are the links between densely populated cities and ports and rural areas because of their geographical location. While providing a great lifestyle and agricultural production peri-urban areas are also known to be prime pathways for diseases, pests and weeds reaching our agricultural regions and natural environments.
Managing biosecurity threats in these zones is a challenge for landholders and government agencies responsible for biosecurity. As well as knowing how to identify and control existing biosecurity threats, peri-urban landholders also need to be aware of emerging exotic pests and diseases. If exotic pests and diseases are allowed to establish in NSW they will have a serious impact on the lifestyles peri-urban landholders currently enjoy. These include exotic pest species such as cane toads and red-eared slider turtles, and insects such as fire ants, exotic bees and brown marmorated stink bugs.
Keep out intruders
Early detection and reporting are key to successfully keeping NSW free from the negative impacts of exotic pests and diseases. We all have a role to play to protect our farms, communities and ecosystems from these invaders.
If you see something you think is suspicious, take a photo, note the location and report your pest, disease or biosecurity concern.
Alternatively, report anything unusual through the FREE MyPestGuide Reporter app https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/apps/mypestguide-reporter.
Select ‘Make a Report’ and choose ‘Peri-urban Environmental Biosecurity Network’ from the ‘Send Report to’ list.
Importantly, if in doubt, still report. Reports that don’t turn out to be exotic pests still provide useful data that underpins pest-free status in many areas of agriculture.
