Bite put on council

By Bridget Cook
THE Southern Casey Alliance (SCA) has called on the council to work with it to help swat the problem of mosquitoes and midges in the coastal villages.
Casey councillors agreed at Tuesday night’s council meeting for council officers to work with the SCA to discuss the issue of mosquito and midge control – with a view to urgently providing solutions.
SCA president Alasdair Moodie made a presentation to the council last week, and made it clear the group was not calling for aerial spraying – something the council has investigated.
Aerial spraying was found to not be suitable given the impact it would have on the sensitive environment and wetlands of the coastal villages.
“The council needs to work with the community to establish the solution to this problem,” Mr Moodie said.
“We need to see if there are strategies we can implement to minimise the mosquito and midge population in the area.”
Mr Moodie said SCA suggested council work with the community to discuss barrier spraying on residential properties, as well as educating people to use mosquito traps.
“There also needs to be a communications strategy to address this,” he said.
“We need to educate people on things like making sure they don’t have stagnant water on their properties.”
Mr Moodie said the group wanted to take action before the next mosquito and midge season started.
“It’s very unpleasant and I really think this a health and safety issue for the council to deal with,” he said.
“With climate change and the increasing spread of mosquito born diseases, this is necessary mitigation.
“We are not going to be able to manage it totally, but if we can at least try to cut it down in public areas and around properties, then it’s a start.”
This is an issue the SCA has been advocating to the council for a few years.
Last year, the group submitted a report to the council calling for action and highlighting the health and wellbeing affects of mosquitoes and biting midges on residents.
Councillor Geoff Ablett, who raised the notice of motion on Tuesday night, said the residents just wanted to find a solution.
“This is about what people can do to their homes and farms,” he said.
“Last time it was brought up, it was about a widespread solution and aerial spraying.
“This is more about solutions on their own fence or own block, not out in the environment.”