A new online apiary system enables beekeepers to more efficiently apply for, manage and share sites, adding value for Western Australia’s globally-significant apiary industry.
The new system was developed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), and provides approvals for apiary sites in WA’s national parks and conservation reserves, as well as on pastoral leases, mining tenements and unallocated Crown land.
To complement the online system, DBCA’s Apiary General Conditions in WA have been updated in consultation with the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia to provide clear guidance for people undertaking apiary activities on these lands.
As a new requirement under the conditions, beekeepers will need to undertake training on procedures to avoid the spread of Phytophthora dieback. This will help manage the impacts of this threat to WA’s flora resources. DBCA has provided this Phytophthora dieback Green Card training to beekeepers over the past year, which was positively received by the industry.
There are 4238 current apiary authorities granted under the CALM Act, distributed among 101 beekeepers.
Apiculture is a significant industry to WA with a farm gate value of $50 million, and it provides pollination services to the horticulture industry with a value of approximately $1.1 billion.
The WA industry is notable world-wide given that WA is free of bee diseases and pests found elsewhere, and it exports bees to other countries.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
“Bees play an instrumental role in agriculture by pollinating crops and increasing yield, as well as through the honey industry.
“This new online system streamlines the administration of beekeeping sites on certain Crown lands, allowing beekeepers to view all their sites online and more easily make use of other sites.
“With a significant increase in apiarists accessing Crown lands, it is important to ensure appropriate hygiene practices are applied.
“The new Phytophthora dieback Green Card will help prevent the spread of dieback in Western Australia and protect the floral resources that support beekeeping and other industries.”
