Locust meetings kick off in Central West

Landholders in the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority preparing for the upcoming spring locust plague are encouraged to attend locust information meetings being held throughout the authority over the coming weeks.

The first meetings will be held in Nyngan and Girilambone on Monday 30 August, followed by meetings in Hermidale and Collerreina on 31 August and Yeoval on 3 September.

Central West LHPA senior ranger Lisa Thomas says that the meetings will assist local producers in preparing for the expected locust plague in the region.

“To keep ahead of the upcoming plague, we are urging producers to be prepared to control locusts on their land via ground chemical application,” Ms Thomas said.

“At these meetings, rangers will provide information on expected hatching dates, what insecticides and equipment are available and the optimal time to apply chemical.

“Landholders will also be given very clear information about what they should be looking for on their properties so they can report any activity to their local LHPA.”

Ms Thomas said that during the locust plague, landholders need to work with their local ranger and these meetings are a good opportunity to meet rangers and discuss local issues.

The Australian Plague Locust Commission has revised their predicted hatching dates for locusts in the region, with peak locust hatchings expected in the Nyngan-Tottenham area from 9 September while Tullamore-Condobolin and Dubbo-Peak Hill are expected from 27 September. Further south, peak hatchings in Parkes-Cowra are expected from 1 October.

Depending on seasonal conditions, hatchings may occur a week or so either side of these dates.

Details of next week’s meeting times and locations are:

Nyngan LHPA office – Monday 30 August, 9am (morning tea provided)
Girilambone RSL Club – Monday 30 August, 6.30pm (barbecue at 6pm)
Hermidale tennis courts – Tuesday 31 August, 1pm (barbecue at 12.30pm)
Collerreina Hall – Tuesday 31 August, 5pm (barbecue at 5.30pm)
Yeoval Golf Club – Friday 3 September, 9am (morning tea provided)

Further locust meetings will be held in Trangie and Dandaloo on 7 September. For a full list of locations and dates for the locust information meetings across the Central West LHPA, please visit the LHPA website at www.lhpa.org.au/pests/locusts.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378