EUROPEAN HOUSE BORER

New Road Signs Urge Public to Comply with Pine Movement Regulations

New road signs will remind the public to comply with regulations governing the movement of untreated pine wood, as part of ongoing efforts to contain and eradicate European House Borer (EHB), a quarantine pest that attacks dry (seasoned) pine wood.

Approximately 50 large (1.8m x 1.2m) signs will be placed throughout the metropolitan area, with a concentration on major arterial roadways near affected areas, starting in June.

The restrictions referred to on the signs relate to items such as pine timber, dead pine trees, logs, branches, stumps, firewood, unwanted pine wood, pine hobby wood, pine pallets, pine packaging, pine furniture and plantation timber.

"The signs are there to alert the public to the fact that moving untreated pine wood from EHB affected areas in breach of regulations can cause the further spread of the pest," said EHB Response Director John van Schagen.

"The restrictions are essential to contain EHB, and assist with nationally coordinated eradication plans to protect Australia from EHB's potentially devastating effects on housing and industry. This will be a long process that has a better chance of succeeding if we have the public's full cooperation," he said.

Pine must not be moved out of EHB Restricted Movement Zones (RMZs) unless it has been stored or treated in accordance with regulations or with approval from an authorised officer from the Department of Agriculture and Food.

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