Mozzie warning

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The City of Greater Geelong has warned that mosquito control on the Bellarine could be less effective this year due to government red tape restricting its ability to conduct ground and aerial treatments on wetlands.

The City’s mosquito management program has begun, with a focus on ground control programs around townships as it seeks a 10-year permit to continue its aerial and ground treatments in Ramsar-listed wetlands.

A permit from the Commonwealth government is required under the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to conduct the treatments on wetlands that are designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar convention. Lake Connewarre and Swan Bay are Ramsar-listed wetlands.

The City has submitted a detailed application seeking approval to conduct treatments in Ramsar-listed wetlands at Port Phillip Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula, Director of City Services Guy Wilson-Browne said.

“Treatments on these wetlands can only start when the Commonwealth government grants approval and we are continuing to work through this rigorous process,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

“It is regrettable that we are unlikely to be permitted to conduct aerial and ground treatments on these wetlands this year and we acknowledge that mosquito treatment overall will be less effective than in previous years.”

Mr Wilson-Browne said the City was doing everything it could within the legislative requirements to minimise pest and public health risks from mosquitoes.

“The permits required in our municipality are more stringent than in other parts of Australia because our wetlands are so precious,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

“These are environmentally-significant, internationally-protected wetlands so it’s imperative that we receive the relevant approvals and get the process right.”

The City of Greater Geelong is the only municipality in Victoria to conduct aerial treatments of mosquitos. The program involves the application of pellets and does not include spraying.

Mosquito management officers are continuing ground treatments across the region outside of the Ramsar-listed wetlands.

The program only uses products that are approved by the Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for mosquito control around populated areas. These products are Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (Bti) and s-Methoprene, the City said.

“We follow stringent safety precautions, we don’t use broad based pesticides, and we only use products approved for use in Australia,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

Officers have completed ground larvicide monitoring at more than 50 sites across the region since July 2021 including Connewarre, Point Lonsdale, St Leonards and Wallington.

Mr Wilson-Browne said this mosquito season may see higher numbers than previous years depending on weather conditions.