March 29, 2018
Gympie Regional Council and Queensland Health officers will launch a three-month rainwater tank inspection program in Goomeri next month in an effort to stop the spread of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
The mosquitoes are known carriers of dengue fever, zika virus and chikungunya virus.
The officers will visit all properties in Goomeri to inspect tanks for mosquito activity.
The inspections follow a similar three-month effort by the South Burnett Regional Council which ran from November to February, and included all properties in the Blackbutt, Kingaroy, Kumbia, Murgon, Nanango, Proston, Tingoora, Wondai and Wooroolin town areas.
The hotter months are generally peak breeding season for the mosquitos.
According to Gympie’s Division 6 Councillor Hilary Smerdon, Goomeri is the only township in the Gympie region that is known to host Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
He said the inspections were important to stop the spread of disease.
Inspectors will ensure that rainwater tanks have the correct mosquito-proof screens and flap valves to prevent the mosquitos gaining access.
They will also take tank samples from unscreened or damaged water tanks to look for the mosquito.
Officers are authorised to enter properties at any reasonable time during the day and if the resident isn’t home when they visit, the officer will leave a card with inspection details.
It is a legal requirement for rainwater tanks to be screened and if a tank is unscreened or found to be defective, officers will provide advice to remedy the situation.
Fitting the correct screens and flaps is generally minor work.
Gympie Regional Council approved the mosquito inspection program in February.
Residents with questions or concerns should contact Gympie Regional Council’s Environmental Health Services department on 1300-307-800 or email Council.
