South Australia’s forest industries are working in partnership with the State Government to eradicate the spread of giant pine scale (GPS) in Adelaide’s northeastern suburbs.
“The South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) are grateful to be working hand in glove with the South Australian Government on eradicating GPS from Adelaide’s suburbs. It would be a biosecurity disaster if this infestation reaches our 128,000-hectare commercial pine plantations and neighbouring urban forests”, said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of SAFPA
“Giant pine scale is a sap sucking insect that feeds on pine trees and closely related species including firs and spruces. Infected trees exhibit canopy thinning, branch deaths and tree deaths. With large numbers of pine found across Adelaide’s parks and gardens, the pest has the potential to impact our urban forest, with less shade for residents and nesting sites or food sources for local birds. A detection of GPS in Highbury in 2023 triggered an eradication process involving the removal and destruction of infected trees, with surveillance, monitoring and tree removal efforts continuing to ensure the eradication is successful”, continued Mr Paine.
“It is unfortunate trees in suburban parks and reserves have had to be felled in a bid to prevent GPS from spreading yet is it imperative to protect Adelaide’s canopy cover and the businesses and the livelihoods of those working in the forest and timber industries”, said Mr Paine.
“If the infestation reaches any of our commercial pine plantations it would have a devastating impact on our state’s economy and regional communities. Forestry in South Australia contributes almost $3 billion to the State’s economy, employs over 21,300 people and there are countless industries that heavily rely on our products, such as residential and commercial builders and the agriculture and horticulture industries to name a few”, said Mr Paine.
“Forestry is a fundamental industry to growing our nation, with wood fibre products playing an integral role in building our nation by producing house frames, home furnishings, pallets, cardboard packaging, toilet paper and tissues, mulch and biofuels.
Supashock are grateful to be involved and help the community in eradicating this biosecurity threat from the local neighbourhood and urban forests.
“Without an immediate response, Giant Pine Scale can severely impact the health and safety of infested trees and the surrounding community. As locals ourselves we want to protect the remaining urban forests and conservation parks, and we are pleased to support those involved and the wider community during this process”, said Mr Steven Russo, Chief Financial Officer of Supashock.
“Thank you to the Minister for Forest Industries, Clare Scriven, MLC, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), ForestrySA, Department of Environment (DEW) and SA Water, along with the City of Tea Tree Gully, for implementing and proactively responding in the removal of GPS affected trees from our community”, concluded Mr Paine.
