The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) is marking 50 years of coordinated locust management at the same time as seasonal conditions across eastern Australia point to the possibility of a larger than usual locust season this spring.
Landholders are being encouraged to report significant locust activity to help track spring populations, improve forecasting and support preparedness and control efforts.
Acting Australian Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer, Dr Susie Collins, said the APLC’s 50-year milestone highlights the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration in protecting Australia’s agricultural industries from locust outbreaks.
“For 50 years, the APLC has brought together governments, industry and landholders to monitor and manage one of Australia’s most challenging agricultural pests,” Dr Collins said.
“As we look ahead to the coming season, information from landholders remains just as important as ever. Early reporting helps us target surveillance, understand what’s happening on the ground, and respond quickly when populations begin to build.”
Established in 1976 following a series of major outbreaks in the early 1970s, the APLC continues to a critical role in coordinating locust monitoring, forecasting and management across state borders.
Today, the APLC works with the governments of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to detect emerging populations and coordinate responses to significant outbreaks that could threaten agricultural production.
Dr Collins said locust management has evolved considerably over the past five decades, with advances in surveillance technology, forecasting capability and more targeted control methods improving the ability to predict and respond to outbreaks.
“Over the past 50 years we’ve seen significant advances in how we monitor and manage locust populations, but one thing hasn’t changed: early detection is essential”, she said.
“Reports from landholders provide valuable real-time information that helps us understand where populations are developing and supports timely control activities before infestations can spread across large areas.”
The APLC and member jurisdictions are preparing for the season through surveillance planning, forecasting and response readiness.
With conditions likely to support increased locust activity in some regions, landholders are encouraged to remain alert and report significant sightings of locust bands, swarms or unusually high numbers of locusts.
“Locust management is a shared effort,” Dr Collins said. “By reporting locust activity early, landholders can help protect their own properties and that of their neighbours and contribute to broader preparedness efforts that support Australia’s agricultural sector.”
