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Myrtle rust is now wide-spread in South East Queensland with recent detections also confirmed in nurseries in Cairns and Townsville. However, surveillance to date has shown no evidence that the disease has spread outside the four North Queensland nurseries where the disease was detected.
Below is an overview of the current situation in Queensland (as of 14 October 2011):
| Total number of known myrtle rust cases in Queensland |
685 | | Total number of known affected (host) species in Queensland |
85 |
| Total number of Council areas with myrtle rust cases |
14 |
| Names of Council areas with myrtle rust cases |
Brisbane City
Cairns Regional
Fraser Coast Regional
Gold Coast City
Gympie Regional
Ipswich City
Logan City
Moreton Bay Regional
Redland City
Scenic Rim Regional
South Burnett Regional
Sunshine Coast Regional
Toowoomba Regional
Townsville City |
The warmer conditions in South East Queensland in recent weeks has led to a more than 300 percent increase in public reports of the disease. With increasingly The warmer conditions in South East Queensland in recent weeks has led to a more than 300 percent increase in public reports of the disease. With increasingly warm and wet weather forecast, the rate of spread and the visibility of the disease is expected to continue to rise over the coming months.
While the disease can not be eradicated or contained, its impacts can still be managed. This will be achieved through the implementation of management strategies such as hygiene measures, chemical controls, resistance breeding programs and replacement of susceptible species with resistant species.
Research, data collection and analysis to identify the disease’s host range and the susceptibility of native and introduced species of Myrtaceae, and monitoring of the impacts of the disease in both the natural and built environments, will all contribute to the development of longer-term management solutions to myrtle rust. |
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Formation of the Biosecurity Queensland Myrtle Rust Program |
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Biosecurity Queensland’s commitment to the long-term management of myrtle rust has continued with the establishment of its Myrtle Rust Program.
The goal of the Myrtle Rust Program is to 'Help Queenslanders adapt to living with myrtle rust'.
The objectives of the program are to:
- Ensure people are aware of myrtle rust and know what to do
- Assist industry to operate and trade
- Learn more about myrtle rust
- Limit impacts on natural and built environmental assets as much as practical.
This goal and these objectives recognise that it is not technically or economically feasible to eradicate myrtle rust in Queensland and, given the nature of the disease, it is not possible to control or contain the disease within the current known infested areas. Myrtle rust is an airborne fungal disease which is easily spread through a range of different mechanisms and has a wide range of native and cultivated hosts.
Despite this, Biosecurity Queensland is committed to continuing to try and slow the spread of myrtle rust in Queensland while it works to develop adaptive strategies and longer-term management solutions to help people live with the disease and minimise its impacts on the economy, the environment and the community.
If you have any questions or concerns that you wish to raise with the Myrtle Rust Program, or you just want to get in touch, please email the team at myrtlerust@deedi.qld.gov.au |
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Myrtle Rust Pest Quarantine Area and ‘Notifiable’ status revoked |
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In recognition that myrtle rust is now established and widespread in parts of Queensland, the pest quarantine area that was declared for myrtle rust in December 2010 and the disease’s ‘notifiable’ status were both revoked on 14 October 2011. This means there is no longer a legal requirement for persons to report sightings of myrtle rust to Biosecurity Queensland.
However, Biosecurity Queensland encourages people to continue to report incidents of the disease. The more that is known about the disease, including where it is and what effects it is having, the more effective strategies can be developed to manage the disease and its impacts.
Under the Plant Protection Act 1989, it continues to be an offence for a person, in trade or commerce, to sell or dispose of, or possess for sale, a plant the person knows is, or reasonably believes may be, infested with myrtle rust. This requirement applies to persons selling or trading plants into Queensland from interstate. Biosecurity Queensland will be monitoring plant sellers and traders to ensure ongoing compliance with this requirement.
To report a suspect detection of myrtle rust call the DEEDI Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 or fill in the online reporting form. |
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Queensland hosts country's eminent plant experts |
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The Myrtle Rust Program recently hosted nearly 50 scientists, researchers and other interested parties from around the country at a workshop to discuss current and proposed research opportunities for myrtle rust.
A primary objective of the workshop was for all those currently undertaking research into myrtle rust to discuss their projects and planned outputs and outcomes and, in doing so, to identify any key knowledge gaps that remain to be filled. It is hoped that a number of new collaborative research opportunities will be created as a result of the workshop.
All participants agreed that research will play an incredibly important role in improving our knowledge and understanding of the disease and, as a result, enable the development of appropriate strategies to manage the disease in both the short and long term. |
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If you think you have seen myrtle rust, report it by calling 13 25 23 or filling out the online reporting form.
Knowing where it is and what plants its affecting, helps us to develop management strategies and better target our information and advice to affected busineses and communities. |
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