Funding to support regional communities impacted by mice plague

The Cook Labor Government has allocated additional funding for local governments to help control the surging mice population affecting regional towns and communities.

• $200,000 to assist regional towns and communities affected by extreme mice populations
• Up to $10,000 is available to affected local governments for baiting, trapping and clean up measures
• Cook Labor Government supporting regional communities' mice control efforts

The Cook Labor Government has allocated additional funding for local governments to help control the surging mice population affecting regional towns and communities.

A total of $200,000 will be available to affected shires for mice baiting, trapping and clean up measures to help alleviate the cost and stress of dealing with the pest.

These measures will complement the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's decision to permit the use of more effective high strength baits following strong advocacy from Grain Producers Australia and the Western Australian Government.

State health officers have been assisting with advice on managing the increase in mouse activity in townsites and surrounding rural areas.

To protect community health, residents should follow the WA Department of Health guidelines for rodent control and how to safely deal with disposing of dead rodents: Keeping rats and mice under control

The Cook Labor Government continues to engage with industry, scientists and regulators as a member of the National Mouse Group, hosted by CSIRO.

For more mice control information and to remain up to date with developments visit the Season 2026 webpages on the DPIRD website.

Landholders and regional communities are encouraged to report mouse sightings through MouseAlert (FeralScan) to help track changes across affected local governments.

The Cook Labor Government will continue to work with impacted local governments. Eligible local governments will be contacted regarding the funding support available.

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson:

"The level of mice numbers we are seeing in our grain growing regions is having an impact on the economic and social wellbeing of everyone in those local communities.

"The Cook Labor Government is providing emergency assistance to boost community efforts to deal with this invasive pest and to support local governments in reducing the impact on residents and businesses."

Comments attributed to Acting Agriculture and Food Minister Don Punch:

"Our grain growers have been working hard to control unprecedented mice levels this season which pose a significant risk to emerging crops and business profitability.

"I am very pleased after our government's advocacy for the use of high strength baits, that we now have a more effective way forward for landholders and communities to undertake mice control."

Comments attributed to Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley:

"With the invasion of mice into townsites, the Cook Labor Government is supporting affected local governments to fund baiting, trapping and clean up measures.

"Local Government Authorities have been actively supporting their residents through this period, including the supply of baits to community members for residential use, and this funding will enhance those efforts."