Myrtle Rust Outbreak on the Central Coast - Please help stop the spread!

Wasn't sure where the best place to put this was after I posted it on the GTA site, anyway the info has been passed on by NPWS and State Forests so this seems to fit.

I had discussions with NPWS alerting us to an outbreak of Myrtle Rust on the Central Coast (State Forest, National Park, Crown Land), the main areas affected are Wambina Nature Reserve, Olney State Forest (nine sites – potentially hundreds of hectares of infestation), Jilliby SCA and Yengo NP – Boree track as well as Various private properties in those areas.

If you ride in these areas and intend to ride Glenrock or Awaba (or anywhere else outside the affected areas), please clean your bikes before coming so as to prevent the spread of the disease, when you leave Awaba it is probably advisable to also wash your bike in case it as also found in that area.

Speaking to State Forests, Awaba is currently considered clean, as is ourimbah, and we would like to try and keep it that way. Glenrock is definitely OK at the moment.

What is Myrtle Rust?? From the National Parks, "It is a fungal disease of plants which spreads very quickly – and I would hate to think that someone riding in those areas would bring it with them to Glenrock. Could you ask people who do ride in central coast (whether state forest/NP or crown lands) to clean down their bike/equipment and riding gear (incl helmet) prior to riding in Glenrock? I’ve attached some information on the problem – more aimed at bush regenerators but still pertinent – with links to DPI (now I&I) for more info."

Essentially it spreads in the wind but spores will attach to bikes, clothing, riding gear etc, so if you ride on the central coast (Ourimbah is supposed to be OK, but you can't be too sure), clean your gear thoroughly when your done.

I'll post more info on the GTA thread (http://glenrocktrailalliance.com/node/18358) as the NPWS and State Forests provide it over the next week, but at this point it sounds like it could become a big issue.