Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00157:body:0:p5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00157
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Character Range: 13205–16309

community supports efforts to manage Phytophthora dieback and that this understanding encompasses the importance of adhering to conditions that may be placed on access to the conservation estate.

         In order to successfully implement this Plan, the Department will:
•       coordinate its implementation as it applies to Commonwealth land and act in accordance with the provisions of the Plan as required under the EPBC Act
•       seek stronger coordination of national action on Phytophthora dieback
•       draw on expertise from state and territory agencies and non-government organisations
•       encourage involvement of key stakeholders and experts in Phytophthora research and management.

         The Australian Government will monitor the uptake and effectiveness of management actions by all parties as part of a review of the Plan under section 279 of the EPBC Act. Where the Australian Government and state and territory governments have mutual obligations, negotiation of appropriate actions and funding of management actions will be undertaken.

            1.2       The pathogen

         Phytophthora is a major genus within the diploid, alga-like phylum Oomycota (Cooke et al., 2000). This group is currently referred to as water moulds. Although it was previously referred to as fungi, in taxonomic terms it    is more closely related to algae. As P. cinnamomi has the ability to cause plant disease and plant death, this document refers to this species of water mould as a pathogen. At least 32 species of Phytophthora occur in various parts of Australia. While P. cinnamomi is the most destructive, other species—for example P. arenaria, P. constricta, P. cryptogea, P. elongata, P. gregata, P. megasperma and P. multivora—are also able to cause significant damage in Australian natural ecosystems.

         P. cinnamomi occurs in all Australian states and territories except the Northern Territory, where the environmental conditions are not conducive to the pathogen's establishment and persistence.

         The development of Phytophthora dieback requires the presence of the pathogen, the presence of susceptible host plant species, and environmental conditions that favour infection and subsequent reproduction and spread of the disease (Garkaklis et al., 2004). The most favourable conditions for spore production are free water and mild temperatures. Soils that have neutral to acidic pH are most favourable for the formation of spores and the survival of P. cinnamomi (Zentmyer, 1980).

         Plants become visibly diseased when infection results in the impairment of the plant's physiological and biochemical functions. Roots are a primary site of infection; therefore, uptake of water is one of the first functions affected. This is why symptoms of Phytophthora dieback infection have similarities, at least initially, to those of water stress. In susceptible species, apparently healthy plants (in groups or individually) can suddenly die. Less susceptible species can show crown decline symptoms, including leaf yellowing and death of primary leaf-bearing