Published on Tuesday, 18 February 2025 at 10:47:06 AM

The Cities of Bayswater, Swan, Belmont and the Town of Bassendean are calling on the State Government to take action to combat an increase in mosquitoes resulting from a breeding season that is the worst they have ever seen.

Unusually high tides, increased humidity, rainfall and hotter temperatures are creating optimal conditions for mosquito breeding across local government areas along the Swan River. The impact of the increased mosquito activity on the community is significant.

Bayswater Mayor Filomena Piffaretti, spokesperson for the group, said it was time for the State Government to act.

“This is an important issue facing residents across a number of local government areas and we believe it is time for the WA Department of Health to step up and take responsibility, especially given several sites are on State Government land,” she said.

“We are working alongside our neighbouring local governments and have all committed extra resources to tackle this issue, but our resources are stretched and, in many cases, inadequate to face an issue of this magnitude.

“The potential for mosquito-borne disease cannot be understated and is a significant risk to public health.

“What we need is a coordinated approach that allocates an appropriate level of funding to tackle this issue.

“Bayswater has modern drone technology that targets mosquito breeding by dropping larvicide in hard-to-reach areas of the Swan River, but our efforts are hampered by inadequate funding and lengthy turnaround times on obtaining Civil Aviation Safety Authority approvals.

“The WA Department of Health needs to raise public awareness of this widespread issue, its causes and how the community can protect themselves.”

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