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Dieback
By following this Code, participant Clubs will minimise
the impact of their activities on the resource that
provides us with so much pleasure. Click
here to download our Dieback Policy 
Preamble
- Dieback is an exotic disease of our forests affecting
over 900 species of native plants including banksias, blackboys, zamia
palms, snottygobbles, emu bushes, sheoaks, hakeas, dryandras, heaths
and jarrah. It is caused by the fungus
Phytophthora cinnamomi which lives in the soil and infects the roots
of susceptible plants, resulting in reduced water uptake and death.
- As the fungus thrives in warm, moist conditions the
south coast is particularly at risk. Some of the more susceptible
plants are rare, endangered or restricted in distribution. Dieback
is not just a problem for native plants; it is also having a detrimental
effect on nectar-eating creatures (e.g. honey possums and honeyeaters).
It may take from 3 to 10 years before visible signs of the disease
(e.g. dead leaves) develop.
Policy
Member clubs and associations of the Federation of WA
Bushwalkers are to adopt the following practices when venturing into
dieback affected areas:
- Keep to well-drained, well-formed roads and tracks
where possible.
- Clean boots and tent pegs before and after all walks
and making full use of dieback wash down points and raised boardwalks
where available e.g., Fitzgerald River National Park.
- Take heed of signs alerting of the presence of dieback
fungi.
- Leaders to contact the local Park Ranger for up-to-date
local knowledge and redirect the walk to keep out of, or go around,
dieback infected areas.
- Avoid wet and muddy areas at all times. Be prepared
to change the route of the walk during or after warm, wet weather.
If muddy areas cannot be avoided, remove the mud from your boots before
moving onto dry or higher ground.
- Ensure that drivers of vehicles taken onto roads with
restricted access due to the risk of dieback are in possession of
a current vehicle access permit and that all restrictions that may
be imposed are adhered to.
Further information go to the Dieback Working Group website
at http://www.dwg.org.au/
Minimal
Impact Bushwalking Code - Dieback - Risk
Management - Submissions/ Minutes
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