Who isn't a fan of The Big Red Truck?

Have you ever had a close look at a NSW Rural Fire Service heavy wildfire tanker?

The public was invited to the Peninsula Recreational Precinct on Saturday, September 16, for a viewing.

Volunteer firefighters from the Pearl Beach brigade conducted tours of "Pearl Beach 1" as part of Get Ready Weekend.

"With the coming bushfire season, and the forecast for warmer and drier weather with higher than average bushfire risks, the time to prepare for bushfire is now," the brigade told visitors.

"Planning and preparing for bushfire is also about making the decision of whether you will stay and protect your property, or if and when you will evacuate.

"Our volunteers will be happy to give you a Bushfire Survival Plan which will help you make those decisions now, rather than trying to make them in the middle of an incident."

SOURCE:

Social media, 14 Sep 2023

Pearl Beach Brigade, NSW RFS

Varroa mite detection reported at Blackwall

A new varroa mite infection has been reported at Blackwall by the NSW Department of Primary Industries on Tuesday, September 5.

The Peninsula is already within an eradication emergency (red) zone.

The detection was reported on the same day as detections at Cuttabri and Vineyard.

The department said the detection at Cuttabri, west of Narrabri, was a result of tracing activities by the department.

"The detection at Vineyard was reported after a beekeeper undertook a mandatory 16-week alcohol wash," according to deputy incident controller Dr Shannon Mulholland.

However, he did not explain the origin of Blackwall infection, which came at a time when high numbers of European honey bees were present in local gardens.

Peninsula News asked what was being done about the high numbers of honey bees on the Peninsula.

The answer provided by the department did not give a direct answer.

It referred to "specially-constructed feeder stations to target wild European honey bees only" with a second fipronil program having started on March 8 and still "currently happening".

"A noticeable decrease in localised wild European honey bee numbers can be typically observed within weeks of activation."

It stated: "The removal of wild European Honey Bees from Red Zones is not an instantaneous process and involves several factors including program initiation date, location and dispersal of feeder stations, existing European honey bee populations and interaction, staffing and resourcing availability, competing floral and seasonal resources and existing management priorities."

It did not mention whether media inquiries were another factor.

However, a noticeable decrease in local bee numbers was observed within days of the Peninsula News inquiry.

In his media release, Dr Mulholland said the department "remains focused on tracing and will begin surveillance efforts within five kilometres of the new infested premises".

"The goal National Varroa Mite Response remains to eradicate the introduced pest from Australia."

SOURCE:

Media release, 5 Sep 2023

Shannon Mulholland, NSW DPI

Media statement, 13 Sep 2023

Sim Madigan, NSW DPI