INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
We support this independent environmental group. They monitor threats to Australian wildlife and agriculture, and campaign for actions to prevent and deal with problematic invasions of diseases and pests such as fire ants.
On Tuesday 19 November 2024 they hosted a recent webinar about: MYRTLE RUST – AN INSIDIOUS THREAT
As early as 1990 scientists identified Myrtle Rust as a potential threat for Australian flora. And in April 2010 it happened. Myrtle rust was identified at a nursery near Gosford NSW.
It slipped through national biosecurity borders and has since spread from NSW to Victoria and to far north Queensland and north-western Australia. Climatic modelling suggests it will spread further, with south-western Australia at grave risk.
What does it affect?

Melaleuca quinquinervia infected with myrtle rust.
Photo: NSW Department of Industry & Innovation
Myrtle rust attacks many plants in family Myrtaceae, which is Australia’s dominant plant family.
There are more than 2000 plants in family Myrtaceae, These include eucalypts, turpentines, bottlebrushes, paper-barks and tea trees. It targets young, soft plant tissues, leading to severe disease or death.
It reshapes forests, heathlands, and wetlands, with affected species disappearing and being replaced by non-affected species.
What are the dangers?
Myrtle rust is common in foreign countries, but their flora has evolved along with the disease.
Australian flora evolved without it, so there is no resistance to its impact and entire ecosystems may be decimated. It’s one of the worst biosecurity threats Australia has faced, putting already endangered species at further risk.
The threats extend to fauna that depend on the affected species. These include koalas.
The pathogen, myrtle rust, had slipped through national biosecurity borders and has since spread to far north Queensland and Victoria. Climatic modelling suggests it will spread much further.
Myrtle rust could alter the composition and function of forest, woodland, heath and wetland ecosystems. This incursion is about as bad as it can get for biosecurity in Australia – a new disease attacking our dominant plants, including species already on threatened lists.
What is myrtle rust?
Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is a fungus that affects trees and shrubs in family Myrtaceae.
It infects leaves, stems, buds, and fruits, potentially leading to severe impacts that vary from species to species. Some species experience only mild symptoms, such as leaf spots, while others face near extinction. Within some species there is great variation in susceptibility.
Myrtle rust spreads through wind, water, insects and other animals. Its spores can travel far and infect plants many kilometres away. Spores can be carried on tools, vehicles, and clothing.
Where is it now?
Myrtle rust has spread rapidly across eastern and northern Australia, from Tasmania to Torres Strait islands, and west to the Kimberley. It thrives in the rainforests of eastern Queensland and NSW, but colder climates and dry regions may limit its spread in Victoria and Tasmania. South Australia remains rust-free, although conditions in its southeast could become suitable.
Environmental impacts
Myrtle rust poses a serious threat to Australian ecosystems, given the dominance of Myrtaceae plants. It may exacerbate the effects of climate change by reducing vegetation recovery after intense bushfires and droughts. A highly flammable weed, lantana, has replaced some rainforest plants killed by myrtle rust. Impacts will be massive if eucalypt-killing strains reach Australia.
Threatened species that could be affected include the koala, greater gliders and swift parrot.
Economic impact
Myrtle rust has imposed costs on nurseries and lemon myrtle and tea tree growers. Nurseries must now use costly fungicides and have abandoned some susceptible plant species, while the lemon myrtle industry faces increased costs from fungicide use, which has derailed plans to achieve organic status. If myrtle rust spreads to Western Australia it could devastate farms growing Geraldton wax, which is highly susceptible. New eucalypt-killing strains pose a threat to Australia’s native hardwood industry.
What have we done?
The Office of the Chief Plant Protection Officer released a national response plan in 2007 and Plant Health Australia published a contingency plan for the nursery and garden industry in 2009.
Quarantine restrictions were introduced to reduce the risk of infected Myrtaceae material from countries known to host the rust.
The Invasive Species Council highlighted the dangers in our submission to the government’s review of biosecurity arrangements in 2008 but, despite government recognition of the high threat level, Australia was poorly prepared for an incursion.
On 30 April 2010, the National Management Group decided against an eradication attempt, deeming it not feasible even though the rust had been detected on only 2 properties and not in bushland. Under pressure from key groups, including Plant Health Australia and Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, an eradication program was launched in July, involving up to 380 staff.
This ceased in late December after advice that eradication was no longer feasible because the rust was spreading in bushland, facilitated by wet summer weather.
This response to the arrival of myrtle rust was heavily criticised by environmental, industry and government stakeholders, including the Invasive Species Council.
Result?
Australia missed the chance to detect and stop myrtle rust early.
Poor surveillance and poor decision-making has left us all with serious consequences.

MORE SAD NEWS ABOUT BIRDS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION: by Brendan Sydes, National Biodiversity Policy Advisor
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek approved the destruction of sensitive coastal heathland for a rocket launching facility at Whalers Way, South Australia.
Whalers Way has been described as ‘critical habitat’ for the survival of the Eyre-Peninsula Southern Emu-wren. There could be as few as 750 of these tiny birds left.
Allowing Southern Launch to bulldoze nearly 24 hectares of heathland to build launch pads, blast walls and bunkers flies in the face of the government’s pledge of zero new extinctions.
This decision shows just how broken Australia’s nature laws are.

NEWS FROM THE NATURE CONSERVATION COUNCIL (NCC) - A WIN AGAINST GAS AND OIL
The QLD Miles Government fulfilled its promise and formally introduced a ban on new oil and gas on the Channel Country floodplains of the Lake Eyre Basin.
Traditional Owners alongside the local community and graziers, have been asking for protections for the rivers and floodplains of the Lake Eyre Basin. After years of concerted effort from the local community, last December Premier Miles committed to protecting this special area.
The Channel Country Rivers and floodplains of the Lake Eyre Basin are some of the last free-flowing desert rivers in the world, and they sustain a clean, grass-fed beef industry and a growing nature-based tourism industry.
This is a historic moment for Queensland. We can be grateful that these floodplains will be protected from new oil and gas developments for generations to come, and we hope there will be ongoing bipartisan support for these important protections.

VALE BILL JONES
Bill was another dedicated bushcarer within the Field of Mars over many years. He was an active member of our Society since the early 1970s and in 1982 Bill was our Society President. After his death in October, a memorial service was held at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. To his wife Noela we extend our heartfelt sympathies.

A SICKENING THUD

According to an article by Tanya Loos in the Spring 2024 edition of Australian Birdlife magazine, Bird strikes on glass windows are increasing. This comes with more dense building developments and the rising popularity of walls with large areas of glass.
Birds have eyes towards the side of their head so they can rely on lateral vision to be fully aware of their surroundings, but this leaves a blind spot in their direction of travel. Without binocular vision they simply cannot see a clear pane of glass.
Effects of impact may include head and eye injuries, and damaged feathers.
Even if the bird picks itself up and flies off, these issues may prevent it from being able to feed or defend itself.
If the bird is sitting stunned, it is best to pick it up with a teatowel and place it on a towel in a cardboard box with air holes and a secure lid. Do not give it any food or drink. Put the box in a cool place and call Sydney Wildlife Rescue - phone 94134300.
Stopping the strike involves a compromise between having a clear view and letting light in, or having a window that birds can see. Here are some suggested solutions:
•Mark the window with tape, decals or light paint – no more than 10cm apart.
•Use a set of anti-collision bird stickers you may buy from the Birdlife Australia store – https://store.birdlife.org.au/ – they rely on UV light being visible to birds but invisible to us.
•Do not clean your windows!

SCOTT REEF
News from Paul Gamblin, WA Director, Australian Marine Conservation Society
Woodside plans to drill for gas just 2km off Scott Reef, a world-class and fragile coral ecosystem off WA’s Kimberley coast. The WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has raised significant concerns about this project, which involves extracting highly polluting fossil fuels.
The EPA advised Woodside that the project was ‘unacceptable’, citing threats to migrating whales and endangered turtles, and from an oil spill.
Woodside’s proposed project involves drilling more than 50 wells, as close as 2km from the magnificent Scott Reef, which would risk a coral reef ecosystem that’s home to well over a thousand species, many unique to the area.
Why this matters
This gas project will be a major contributor to Woodside's proposed Burrup Hub project, a climate disaster that will produce billions of tonnes of emissions over its lifetime.

Greenpeace image: Location of the drill site in relation to Scott Reef.
Building an oil and gas project around the biodiverse and fragile coral reef poses unacceptable risks to its extraordinary marine wildlife. According to Dr Ben Fitzpatrick, coral reef ecologist: “It’s been so isolated that…fish, corals, invertebrates, giant clams, crustaceans and sea cucumbers – are quite genetically distinct. You get a lot of krill and… large marine animals – blue whales, manta rays, whale sharks. There’s an amazing turtle nesting rookery where turtles lay eggs on a sandy cay. They’re ancient, prehistoric animals that have been doing this for millions of years.”
The Environmental Protection Authority's final report is expected next year, but the federal and WA governments will have the final say on whether the project goes ahead. We must prioritise protection of our fragile oceans over corporate fossil fuel interests.
When the time comes, we must ensure our governments make the right decision. To add your voice, go to https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/woodside-drilling-gas-scott-reef/