Found on many of the Richmond Valley’s beaches and mangroves is the iconic Pandanus tree, a plant at risk of dieback from infestations of Planthopper insects, a bug with little predators in NSW.

The following information is courtesy of the Department of Environment and Heritage NSW website:

How you can help

• Become familiar with the symptoms of affected plants and monitor them
• Notify your local council, the Department of Environment and Conservation (for plants in national parks or nature reserves) or the Department of Lands (for Crown lands) if you believe a plant is affected (see below).
• When planting pandanus, use locally grown stock and inspect plants carefully for any sign of planthoppers.
• If disposing of any plants or plant parts that are infested, be extremely cautious. To prevent the spread of planthopper to unaffected areas, any infested plant leaves or parts should be sealed in bags and placed in a bin, or mulched or composted.
• Contact your local council to find out what assistance or further information can be provided. Some councils will provide stem injections to infected plants.

Report infected pandanus

To report pandanus you suspect to be infected with the planthopper, you can:

• fill in an online form on the Department of Environment and Heritage NSW website
• contact Council