Urban gardeners will have the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge to ensure the health of Melbourne's plants with a new Urban Plant Health Network.
Victoria's Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Rosa Crnov launched the Urban Plant Health Network at the Horticulture Industry Network meeting in Melbourne today.
"Plant health and biosecurity isn't just for farmers or commercial crop growers, everyone has an important part to play in keeping unwanted pests out of Australia," Dr Crnov said.
"All of us need to keep our gardens clean and free of plant pests, diseases and weeds."
The Urban Plant Health Network connects home and community gardeners with industry and government experts to help identify and manage new or 'exotic' plant pests and diseases.
"These exotic "nasties" can spread easily from small urban gardens to rural areas, threatening our environment and our agricultural industries, who help customers around the world enjoy high quality 'clean and green' food and fibre."
The network will publish seasonally relevant information and articles about managing unwanted garden pests and diseases through a new website, Facebook page and Twitter account.
The network will also provide an opportunity to connect urban gardeners with a team of skilled professionals who can provide advice on how to look for, manage, and report exotic plant pests or diseases in a home or community garden.
"Last summer, Agriculture Victoria responded to Brown marmorated stink bug detections in three locations in suburban Melbourne. Our urban population's support of our surveillance was critical to the success of the response," Dr Crnov said.
"With International Year of Plant Health just around the corner, it's an ideal time to join the network and be involved in sharing opportunities to promote and participate in activities that support plant health."
AUSVEG, Citrus Australia, CESAR and the Horticulture Industry Network are involved in the Urban Plant Health Network, with funding support from the federal Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Victoria.
