Mosquito management

Mosquito numbers are weather dependant, and the recent and ongoing rain means we’re likely to see higher mosquito numbers than in previous years.

While we are working hard to safely reduce their numbers, mosquitoes (also known as mozzies) are natural part of the ecosystem and it’s not possible to make a significant reduction in their population.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) 1999 - permit update

  PUBLIC NOTICE

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)

City of Greater Geelong Mosquito Management Program, Geelong, Victoria

This notice is for public information purposes only

In accordance with section 95B(2) of the EPBC Act, the City of Greater Geelong is required to publish specified information for public comment with respect to the current application (EPBC 2020/8782) that the City has lodged with the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water in relation to its proposed aerial mosquito management program and the City’s responses to public comments received. The proposed action is to apply Bacillus thuringensis israelensis (Bti) and S-Methoprene containing products to mosquito breeding sites by agricultural drone application in the Geelong region including the Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site.

The proposed action has been determined to be a controlled action under the EPBC Act that is likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected under sections: 18 & 18 A – Threatened Species and Communities, 16 & 17B – Ramsar wetland and 20 & 20A – Migratory Species.

Material relating to this action is available for inspection at the following locations:

• https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/mosquitoes/article/item/8cf4f282ea006f1.aspx
• Boronggook Drysdale Library, 2-8 Wyndham Street, Drysdale.
• Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct, 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong.

• The Victorian[TB1] Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (Geelong Office), Level 4/30-38 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

This notice is for public information purposes only. For people requiring assistance with reading or are vision impaired, contact Loyd Phillips Madeira via an email to [email protected] or via telephone (03) 5272 5272.

What we do 

Officers are currently monitoring larval numbers across Greater Geelong and will be continually assessing and reviewing potential breeding sites over the coming months. This includes monitoring known breeding sites applying ground control treatments to drains, dams, and easements, where it is safe to do so.

We are continuing to work through the process of obtaining a 6-year permit to conduct aerial treatments in wetlands that are designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar convention.

We acknowledge that these are environmentally significant, internationally protected wetlands so it’s imperative that we receive the relevant approvals and get the process right.

We also provide educational material for use in school and in the home.

Approved products 

We follow stringent safety precautions, we don’t broad based pesticides, and we only use approved biological products in our program. People, other animals, and the general environment are not adversely affected by the treatments.

The program normally operates late May each year and is affected by the changes in weather patterns from year to year. Generally, mosquito numbers are low during the winter months, and monitoring and treatment are minimal during this period.

What you can do

You can check your property for possible breeding sites around your home.

You can take simple steps to protect yourself from mosquitoes.