Council has received $8,000 in funding from the Victorian Department of Health (DoH) to take part in an enhanced mosquito monitoring project focusing on the mosquito species Aedes vigilax.
This project is part of a coordinated, state-wide program involving eight Victorian councils and helps support early detection and surveillance of Aedes vigilax, a saltmarsh mosquito known to increase nuisance levels and potentially pose public health risks.
The funding supports surveillance activities only. This includes setting and collecting mosquito traps at designated locations, weekly recording of results in the DoH Atlas surveillance system, carefully labelling and storing samples, and laboratory analysis coordinated by the DoH.
Trapping began in February 2026 and will continue through to April 2026.
By participating in this surveillance program, Council is helping to build a clearer picture of mosquito population levels, and the information collected will support state-wide risk assessments and help guide future mosquito operational planning.
Council acknowledges increased mosquito activity can generate community concern, particularly during peak seasonal periods. We will continue working closely with partner agencies to support effective mosquito monitoring and management in line with regulatory requirements.
The $8,000 funding supports surveillance and monitoring activities only and does not include mosquito treatment works such as larviciding, drone operations or traffic management.
Additional information
This monitoring program is separate from regional mosquito treatment work.
For more than 20 years, mosquito monitoring and larval treatment in the Borough of Queenscliffe has been delivered by the City of Greater Geelong through a regional service arrangement.
Larval treatment activities are carried out in line with Commonwealth environmental approval requirements and any relevant permit conditions. In environmentally protected areas, treatment can only occur once the necessary regulatory and land access approvals are in place.
