Overview

Review of the Contiguous Local Authorities Group (CLAG) Mosquito Management Program

The Department of Health is conducting a review of the Contiguous Local Authorities Group (CLAG) Mosquito Management Program (the Program) (formerly known as the CLAG Funding Scheme). This involves surveying participating and prospective local governments considering membership, to better understand their views and expectations on the mosquito management program model, and the administration of the program.

What is the CLAG Mosquito Management Program?

The Department of Health is responsible for monitoring mosquito-borne diseases and coordinating the management of insects of public health significance across Western Australia.  A key component of this state-wide program is to provide technical, advisory and funding support for local government mosquito management programs to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases throughout WA.

CLAGs are comprised of one or more neighbouring (contiguous) local governments that share a common mosquito problem, usually in the form of natural or man-made habitat that breed mosquitoes which subsequently impact on surrounding communities. The Department of Health’s CLAG Mosquito Management Program commenced in 1990 and was last reviewed in 2009. At that time the CLAG Mosquito Management Program provided advice, information, resources and assistance to 10 CLAGs, comprising 20 local governments.

Further detailed information on the CLAG Mosquito Management Program is available on the Department of Health’s website.

The surveillance, monitoring and treatment activities undertaken in metropolitan and regional Western Australia through the Mosquito Management Program are specific to local needs.  Different regions present different challenges at different times of the year and under differing environmental conditions. Councils throughout Western Australia have been highly responsive and proactive in their strategies to manage mosquitoes and reduce the risk of mosquito borne diseases impacting human health.

Why your views matter

Since the 2009 review of the CLAG Mosquito Management Program, the number of CLAGs supported by Department of Health with technical, advisory and financial support has risen to twenty (20) across the State, comprising a total of forty (40) local governments.

A changing climate, consecutive years of La Niña weather patterns, and more recently, the requirement for increased mosquito surveillance and response preparedness activities to mitigate the growing risk of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) has heightened the importance of providing a responsive and innovative mosquito management plan.

This review considers the administration and operation of the CLAG Mosquito Management Program to reduce the public health risks caused by mosquitoes across Western Australia.

What will the review involve?

Local governments are invited to answer an online survey to provide your views, requirements and expectations of both local governments within the CLAG Mosquito Management Program and prospective local governments who may wish to seek membership in the future.  Your response will help the Department of Health consider how best to support mosquito management within the State and participating CLAGs in an equitable and sustainable way.

If you have any queries about the survey please contact the Medical Entomology Team on (08) 9285 5500.

PDF evidence-based research or studies (no larger than 25mb) can be uploaded to the citizen survey site.

If you prefer you can download the survey and submit in hard copy, surveys can be sent by email to:

Medical Entomology Team at Medical.Entomology@health.wa.gov.au.

Or

Post to:

Review of the CLAG Mosquito Management Program

Environmental Health, Public and Aboriginal Health Division

Department of Health

PO Box 8172

Perth Business Centre WA 6849  

Anonymous survey responses or submissions will not be accepted. Responses or submissions that address matters outside the scope of this Review will not be accepted.

CONSENT

By completing the online survey, you / your local government are consenting to participate in the survey.  This means that your responses to the survey and any additional information or data you provide forms part of a public consultation process and may be quoted in any reports arising from the Review.

Individuals or organisations who wish their comments to be treated confidentially should indicate this on the survey and on any documentation sent through by email or post. Please note that the information and data provided through survey and/or submission may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act 1992.

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please ensure the submission has your organisation’s endorsement and authorisation at the Chief Executive Officer level.  Please allow time for completing the approval process required by your local government before responding to the survey by the deadline. 

What happens next?

At the close of the consultation period on 18 April 2023 citizen survey results will be analysed, and a consultation summary released at a later date.