Biosecurity Queensland will be holding a community information session in Cairns to help locals prepare for the impacts of the significant plant disease, myrtle rust.
 
Director of the Myrtle Rust Program, Mike Ashton, said North Queensland had so far been lucky with the disease only having been found in nurseries, not in the natural environment.
 
“Queensland’s coastal towns are highly suitable for the disease due to the favourable climatic conditions of high moisture and warm temperatures which encourage the production of myrtle rust spores,” Mr Ashton said.
 
“Unfortunately, the recent detections in Rockhampton and Gladstone indicate the disease is now established and becoming widespread in Central Queensland and, as predicted, is spreading up the coastline from South East Queensland.

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“Our priority is to ensure the community, local businesses and the Cairns and Tablelands Regional Councils are aware of the disease and what it looks like and what they can do to help protect their region from its impacts."

An hour-long community information session is being held at the Cairns Botanic Garden Visitor Centre tonight from 5.30pm and will cover a range of topics including what to look for, what plants it affects and options for what to do if you find it.
 
Mr Ashton said Biosecurity Queensland officers would also be holding a more detailed session for businesses and council workers on 1 March.
 
“Businesses and council workers will have to manage potential myrtle rust infections on a daily basis so we have developed a longer and more detailed information session for this audience,” he said.
 
“Early detection and reporting of myrtle rust sightings increases the possibility of protecting our natural areas and helps us learn more about the disease.
 
“These sessions will help spread the word about the potential impacts of myrtle rust and the importance of early detection and reporting of the disease."

For more information on the myrtle rust information sessions call 07 3239 3970 or email myrtlerust@deedi.qld.gov.au.
 
For more information on myrtle rust or to report a suspect sighting visit  www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.