Strengthening Collaboration: The Pest READI Annual Regional Gathering

February 15th, 2025

The Pest READI team is a diverse and geographically dispersed group, with members based across the east coast of Australia, including Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, the Northern Rivers, and Brisbane. While we collaborate virtually throughout the year, our annual in-person meeting in the Northern Rivers provides a valuable opportunity to reconnect, share updates, and drive key aspects of the project forward.

A Gathering at Summerland Farm

This year, from 11-14th February, we convened once again at Summerland Farm in Alstonville. Our meeting commenced with a networking lunch, bringing together project team members and participants from our Co-Design Workshop, which had taken place that morning. The workshop served as a platform for stakeholders to contribute insights and priorities, setting the stage for meaningful discussions throughout the week.

Insights from Malua Farm

Following our initial session, the team visited Malua Farm, where we were warmly hosted by Ross Arnett, a dedicated macadamia farmer in the Northern Rivers. Ross shared his experiences balancing regenerative agricultural practices with the economic realities of production. During an insightful farm tour, we explored key topics such as biodiversity, soil health, biocontrol, and the role of beneficial insects in sustainable macadamia farming.

Farm tour to Malua Farm, hosted by Ross Arnett

Progress Across Activity Groups

The remainder of the week was dedicated to updates from our various Activity Groups, each contributing to the broader goals of Pest READI:

  • Activity 1 (CSIRO and Growcom, socio-economics) – Discussed the new ‘IPM Module’ we are co-developing in H360 and study plans for evaluating the economics of AW-IPM.
  • Activity 2 (Macquarie University, transition pathways for AW-IPM) – Outlined plans for the new Postdoc Sunita Chaudhary to undertake surveys later in 2025 to understand regional networks and IPM adoption pathways.
  • Activity 3 (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), pest risk) – Provided an overview of their field study plans focused on the non-crop hosts of three key crop pests in the region (Qfly, Nutborer and Citrus Blossum Bug)
  • Activity 4 (Jagun Alliance, Indigenous management-action) – Presented on their role in knowledge exchange and the potential for collaboration with the Bundjalung Traditional Owners  

Additionally, we reviewed the findings from the CSIRO-led Co-Design Workshop for the digital tool and rapid diagnostic study. These discussions centred on identifying priority challenges for our participants, defining the essential features of a practical pest management tool, and mapping a pathway towards a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Pest READI Team photo, unfortunately missing a few people!. From L to R, Back: Simon Fielke, Andrew McGregor, Hangyoung Lee, Paul Melloy, Nicholas Harrigan, Barton Loechel, Scott Wallace, Kevin Quigley and Andrew Hulthen; Front: Zakeel Mohamed Cassim, Byron Kearns, Hazel Parry, Zelalem Lema, Tracey Steinrucken, Olive Hood and Saleh Adnan.
Missing: Anna Marcora, Alex Mustakov, Oliver Costello, David Hinchley, Tommy Dick, Sunita Chaudhary and Abex Geffersa

Looking Ahead

Our work is ongoing, with the next project milestone update scheduled for April, where we will report back to our funding partners. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, exciting developments are underway, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon.

Stay tuned for further insights as we continue to advance digital tools for area-wide Integrated Pest Management (AW-IPM) in the Northern Rivers region.