Myrtle Rust

The fungus Uredo rangelii (myrtle rust), recently found in Victoria for the first time poses a threat to Victoria's nursery, forestry and beekeeping industries, as well as to public parks and gardens and native forests. It can potentially attack all species of the Myrtaceae plant family.

See the media release.

Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia on the central coast of New South Wales (NSW) in April 2010. In December 2010, the Myrtle Rust National Management Group agreed that it was not technically feasible to eradicate this disease.

Current situation

DPI has now detected myrtle rust at 23 sites in Victoria, mainly at production nurseries and wholesale outlets in and around metropolitan Melbourne (see map).

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The majority of these detections resulted from DPI tracing the movement of myrtle rust host material from infected premises.

Five of the detections are on private properties. The infected plants have either been removed or treated as required and monitoring of the properties will continue.

DPI is also taking regulatory action to ensure affected nurseries correctly deal with the infected material. This involves safe disposal, or treatment and reinspection, of the infected material and treatment of all Myrtaceae plants in the nursery before release.

This containment strategy will assist in slowing the spread of the disease to the environment.

Tracing has also shown that there are more than 100 properties which are linked to infected premises and need to be inspected.

DPI is also continuing its survey program to determine how far the disease has spread and at what point containment is no longer practical.

Meanwhile, Victoria is maintaining import restrictions on myrtle rust host material from other states where the disease is present.

To date, myrtle rust has been found on the following species in Victoria:

However, all species of the Myrtaceae plant family are potential hosts of the disease.

Affected industries and agencies have been collaborating with DPI to assist in the myrtle rust response and prepare for future management of the disease.

They include the nursery, forestry and beekeeping industries, as well as the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Amongst other activities, these agencies and DPI are monitoring more than 60 high-risk sites around the state, which should indicate as early as possible if myrtle rust has spread to that area.

More than 120 nursery industry staff and over 200 staff from state and local government agencies have been trained by DPI in identifying and managing myrtle rust. These information sessions have been well received and further sessions are planned.

What do I do if I think I've found myrtle rust?

Early identification of this rust is vital for effective management and DPI should be notified immediately of all plants suspected of being infected with myrtle rust.

To report suspected myrtle rust, please telephone DPI on 1800 084 881.

Alternatively, you can take electronic photos of the suspect material and email to plant.protection@dpi.vic.gov.au together with a contact phone number.

To avoid spreading the disease:

• Do not touch, move or collect samples of the suspect plant material
• Do not go to another site with any host materials.

More information

• What is the risk to Victoria?
• Interstate movement of host materials
• What does myrtle rust look like?
• Which plants are affected?
• Which plants are not affected?
• Reducing the spread of myrtle rust

Further information on other sites

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF):

Myrtle rust communiqué
Myrtle rust questions and answers

NSW Department of Primary Industries
Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries
National pest & disease outbreaks