Mosquito Control Program

About this Item
Speakers - Photios Mr Michael; Harrison The Hon Gabrielle
Business - Private Members Statements

MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM

Mr PHOTIOS (Ermington) [5.55 p.m.]: This evening I speak of a matter of absolute importance to residents along the Parramatta River, in particular those in the district from Ermington through to Ryde, who every year suffer from the continued threat of a real plague of mosquitoes. As honourable members will know, I have been a mosquito control campaigner for more than a decade. There is no issue that I have pursued with more vigour in this Parliament. This issue is critical for a group of people who are often the subject of ridicule for making and bringing forth their complaints. First, I reiterate the point that there is alive and well in Sydney a plague of mosquitoes that is forcing the great Aussie barbecue out of the backyard. Mums and dads cannot put clothes on the line without wearing protective clothing. Children at child-care centres are being bitten with such random attacks as to require medical assistance.

The problem of mosquitoes is continuing. Certainly it is seasonal, but it is a problem that recurs with greater frequency and is now of greater concern than ever. I have an inherent concern about the confirmed outbreak in Sydney of Ross River fever, a virus carried by mosquitoes. This outbreak has prompted criticism that New South Wales has been slow to implement mosquito control programs. That is an understatement. The current Government has promised a green paper on mosquito control, but to date that green paper does not exist. I call on the Minister to release the green paper on mosquito control so that the Government and the community can work in concert to get real action to bring the mosquito menace under control.

I plead with the Minister to get serious about a meaningful mosquito control program in this State. I worked hard to have this State’s first mosquito control program established for the Parramatta River in 1989, and I have considerable pride in that. Subsequent to that, many hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by State and Federal governments of Liberal and Labor persuasion to bring mosquitoes under control. Throughout that period work at the Newington armaments depot at the Homebush Bay site along the Parramatta River has been under way with both Ryde and Parramatta councils - both councils variously of Liberal, Independent or Labor persuasion. It appals me that the mosquito control program in this State has been all but gutted and that Steve Lindsay, the mosquito control officer, is almost desk bound.

This State has a nominal mosquito control program, the State pays a salary and provides an office but there is no capacity for larvae site treatment. In other words, we do not have the tools to bring the mozzie menace under control. My plea is that the Government take seriously the complaints of hundreds, if not thousands, along the Parramatta River whom every January, February, March and April - which means in the lead-up to the State election - the mosquito menace bites ferociously. I warn the State Government that the locals’ campaign will be equally as vicious if there is no meaningful response. I plead with the Government to provide Steve Lindsay and his team with the funds for meaningful mosquito control programs; they do not want to be desk-bound officers. At the moment this State has a clayton’s program. In many respects it adds insult to injury to provide, at considerable expense, an officer but not the means or the wherewithal to bring the problem under control.

The most recent report confirms that last year there were 69 cases of Ross River fever in Sydney’s western and north-western outskirts, which is a very serious matter. Ross River fever is life-threatening. The State Government is undertaking little or no action on behalf of people who live along the Parramatta River in this regard. The New South
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Wales Health Department has not heeded the warning; it has appallingly described this situation as a "minimal risk". Once again I call on the Government to release the green paper and to provide the urgently needed funds to implement a meaningful mosquito control program. The Minister for Sport and Recreation, who is the member for Parramatta, is in the Chamber. I presume that she has a keen interest in this critical issue.

Ms HARRISON (Parramatta - Minister for Sport and Recreation) [6.00 p.m.]: I am well aware of the mosquito control problem for the residents of Rydalmere and Ermington, in particular, and for the residents of Ryde. Greg McKay, a former councillor of Parramatta City Council and a long-time resident of the area, is concerned about this issue. I am also aware that the Health Department, the Department of Land and Water Conservation, Parramatta City Council and Ryde Council are monitoring the situation. As my new electorate may include this area, I will take up this issue with the same vigour as the honourable member.

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