Myrtle Rust found at Mt Archer

ROCKHAMPTON Regional Council officers have confirmed reports of Myrtle Rust being found on a tree at Mount Archer.

Chair of Council's Parks and Recreation Committee Cherie Rutherford said council officers have reacted quickly to remove the diseased tree and the disease was confirmed this morning.

"The affected tree has been removed and disposed of in accordance with the established procedures," Cr Rutherford said.

"Council officers also inspected the area surrounding the infected tree but did not detect any obvious signs in other susceptible vegetation.

"We have also ensured that this instance of Myrtle Rust has been logged in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's system."

Division 10 Councillor Neil Fisher said Myrtle Rust was a fungal plant disease that affected plants in the Myrtaceae family, such as rose apple (lilly pilly), tea tree and bottle brush.

The diseased specimen located on Mount Archer was a Rose Apple (Syzygium jambos).