Seeking LG staff to assist with biosecurity emergency responses

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is seeking assistance from councils and county councils to assist with surveillance and operational work in responding to Varroa mite and White Spot.

Councils or county councils are invited to express availability of suitable staff to assist, preferably for a block of five days between now and June, by completing this form.

NSW DPI is working to protect the NSW honeybee industry by ensuring we eradicate the Varroa mite. DPI’s surveillance and tracing work has confirmed new detections of Varroa mite in beehives in the Taree and Central Coast areas.

DPI is also responding to an incident of White Spot, which is a highly contagious prawn disease that causes high rates of mortality in affected stock. White spot was detected at a prawn facility in northern NSW and NSW DPI is working with the farms to contain and eradicate White Spot.

NSW DPI will provide full cost recovery for councils/county councils that are prepared to provide suitable staff with an emphasis on authorised weed officers and any field-capable staff for this surveillance. Details will be provided on the process to claim salary costs and other costs associated with being in the response, including but not limited to overtime, travel and accommodation.

NSW DPI acknowledges and is grateful to councils across NSW that have assisted with surveillance and emergency responses to date, including for Varroa mite, Prohibited Matter weed surveillance and crazy yellow ant.

Please contact Donna Johnston at NSW DPI if you have any questions.

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