The WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (WAARC) was privileged to host a whole-day workshop that brought together 40 of Western Australia’s leading minds on 17 September.
Academics, researchers, policy makers, planners, leaders and doers came together with a diversity of perspectives to consider how research could enhance eradication of Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) and its associated Fusarium fungus in WA, to protect our State’s agriculture sector in alignment with the nationally led response plan.
It was a wonderful display of the power of collaboration and innovative thinking to help solve a critical WA issue. We were truly grateful and inspired by the abundance of passion, depth of knowledge and goodwill in the room.
A big shout-out to workshop facilitators Craig Salt and Tanya Gawthorne from Sustainable Consulting (Australia), and to our WAARC members Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), CSIRO, Grower Group Alliance, Curtin University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia for their involvement.
Special thanks to the DPIRD Biosecurity team for their invaluable contribution to the workshop.
Thanks also to representatives from Harry Butler Institute, Pomewest, WA Local Government Association (WALGA), Biosecurity Council of WA, Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI), Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) for their collaboration.
WAARC is excited to share the research priorities and actions to come from the workshop. The diversity of perspectives and ideas generated, will be crucial in shaping impactful solutions to Western Australia’s critical PSHB biosecurity issue for agriculture.
