Phytophthora Cinnamomi found in Coochin Hills, now at Mt Tibro
By Kirra Livingstone
THE Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has installed boot cleaning stations at Mount Tibrogargan following the recent discovery of Phytophthora cinnamomi on the popular peak.
Phytophthora cinnamomi is a species of water mould that lives in soil and spreads through footwear, machinery, and other equipment.
It is known to cause dieback, the gradual deterioration of plant tissue, in some species of native plants. Once established, Phytophthora cannot be eradicated as there is no cure.
The Sunshine Coast Council’s 2024 Biodiversity Report, released on December 12, found that the Beerburrum-Tibrogargan core habitat area had grown by 5 per cent between 2020 and 2024.
However, the discovery of Phytophthora poses a significant threat to the vegetation growth highlighted in the report.
QPWS senior ranger, Donna Haslam, urged visitors to help manage the disease’s spread by using the newly installed boot cleaning stations. “The name Phytophthora derives from a Greek word that means ‘plant destroyer’ – and as the name suggests, it can be devastating for susceptible plants,” she said.
“That’s why we’re taking the fight against Phytophthora seriously and ask any park-goers to do the same.
“We simply can’t risk the impact on native plants that grow here or the potential impacts on protected wildlife, including the common dunnart and yellow-footed antechinus, that live and breed in this habitat.”
Ms Haslam also advised visitors to stay on the marked Tibro track and avoid straying off -course, especially during wet weather.
This isn’t the first outbreak of Phytophthora in the area this year. In late September, QPWS temporarily partially closed the Coochin Hills trail due to the same outbreak.
The trail is expected to reopen in January 2025.
QPWS is working with Biosecurity Queensland to prevent further spread of the disease. Additional boot cleaning stations are being installed as part of the mitigation efforts. kirra@gcnews. com.au