Press Release

Issued by Heliwest.

November 5, 2010

Heliwest, Western Australia's largest on-shore helicopter company, has been selected to join the State Department of Health to help control mosquitoes in the South West.

A Heliwest Jetranger aircraft will be fitted with specialised equipment, capable of housing liquid and granule mosquito control products, for spraying programs in the Peel and South West region.

Heliwest has signed a three-year contract with the Department of Health, with two, one-year options.

The aerial larviciding program targets mosquito larvae before they develop further. The chemicals used are mosquito-specific.

Heliwest CEO David Grimes said he was delighted his company had been selected to participate in such an important public health measure.

"Time is of the essence to prevent the larvae emerging as adult mosquitoes. Aerial larviciding by helicopter is a fast and efficient method of dealing with the mosquito problem. The helicopter is able to cover a large area in a relatively short time," he said.