Northern Rivers councils tackling mosquitoes together

27 May 2020

Behaviour change consultant appointed to encourage change

A consultancy has been appointed to undertake a behaviour change program to reduce the risk of mosquito disease in the region.

The Northern Rivers Mosquito Education Working Group - representing Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Richmond Valley, Lismore, Kyogle and Clarence Valley councils and the Northern NSW Local Health District - has appointed external consultancy The Social Deck.

Tweed Shire Council Environmental Health Officer Kelly Piazza said The Social Deck was chosen as it had extensive experience helping organisations to create change in their communities and experience delivering community-based behaviour change projects that had a positive impact on communities and the environment.

“The project, Increasing Resilience to Climate Change, will examine ways to foster positive behavioural change within the Northern Rivers and reduce the risk of disease from mosquitoes, with the objective of providing an education program for the region to assist the community tackle the issues associated with mosquito-borne disease and to reduce the health impacts of mosquitoes,” Ms Piazza said.

“The community can benefit by being aware of actions they can take to protect their families from mosquito bites in the lead-up to, and during, the mosquito season and actions that can be taken when mosquito activity is elevated, such as following high rainfall or tide events.”

Northern NSW Local Health District lists Ross River Fever as the most widespread arboviral disease on the North Coast. It is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes, which may cause incapacity and inability to work, with some patients reporting rheumatic symptoms that can persist for up to a year.

Mosquito risk around your home can be reduced by emptying containers holding water in the yard, keeping vegetation well maintained, lawns mowed, filling pot plant bases with sand, keeping drains and roof guttering clear to avoid standing water and covering the openings of septic tanks and rainwater tanks.

This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government and supported by Local Government NSW.

For more information on mosquitoes visit:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mosquito.aspx

https://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/NuisanceInsects

https://ballina.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes-and-midges--132

https://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Community/Public-health-and-safety/Mosquitoes

http://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/mosquitoes