The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has launched an online apiary system, enabling beekeepers to more efficiently apply for, manage and share sites.
The new system was developed by the DBCA, and provides approvals for apiary sites in national parks and conservation reserves, as well as on pastoral leases, mining tenements and unallocated Crown land.
To complement the online system, the 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.
Beekeepers will need to undertake training on procedures to avoid the spread of Phytophthora dieback, helping manage the impacts of this threat to the State’s flora.
The DBCA has provided the training to beekeepers over the past year, which has been positively received by the industry.
Minister for the Environment, Reece Whitby said bees played 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,” Mr Whitby said.
“With a significant increase in apiarists accessing Crown lands, it is important to ensure appropriate hygiene practices are applied.”
He said the new Phytophthora dieback training would help prevent the spread of dieback in Western Australia and protect the floral resources that supported beekeeping and other industries.
