The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has announced that the biosecurity system for Far North Queensland is to receive an overhaul.
The reforms include the implementation and expansion of the Far Northern Biosecurity Initiative, with $3.7 million over five years allocated to ensure the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula are prepared for biosecurity threats.
In a statement, the Department said the next phase of the initiative had begun with 10 new biosecurity officers appointed.
“The reforms will mean more biosecurity surveillance across the Cape, with plans already in place to continue working with industry to achieve this,” the Department said.
“As part of the next phase of reforms, the Cape York Biosecurity Centre (CYBC) at Coen (pictured) will be closed. However, there will be a broader staff presence across Cape York and the Torres Strait.”
It said Biosecurity Queensland had bolstered its commitment to the front line of Cape York biosecurity, appointing new team members in Bamaga and Thursday Island over the past 12 months.
Chief Biosecurity Officer at the Department, Rachel Chay said successful biosecurity systems relied on constant re-evaluation of how they best protected Queensland from emerging biosecurity risks.
“That means building and expanding partnerships with industry, with Local Governments and with community organisations,” Dr Chay said.
“No Australian State faces more biosecurity threats than Queensland, and we know that Far North Queensland’s geographical position puts it at the front line.”
Dr Chay said with the limited number of vehicles stopping at the CYBC, there were more contemporary and effective ways of delivering biosecurity services.
