The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a Biosecurity Queensland program to engage Indigenous rangers from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) to deliver fruit fly blocking operations in the Torres Strait.
MP for Cook, Cynthia Lui said that as part of the Far Northern Biosecurity Initiative, Biosecurity Queensland had been conducting joint fruit fly blocking operations with TSRA since November 2019, so local rangers on some islands were trained in what to do.
“However, the COVID-19 restrictions meant Biosecurity Queensland could no longer travel to remote communities and had to rapidly hand over the full operational delivery to the TSRA rangers,” Ms Lui said.
“Since April 2020, TSRA Indigenous rangers have successfully delivered fruit fly blocking operations in the Torres Strait with recent trapping results showing a huge decrease in fruit fly numbers.”
Chair of TSRA, Pedro Steven said the partnership with Biosecurity Queensland had proven to be effective and had provided benefits for all involved.
“From a local perspective, the partnership has enabled Torres Strait islanders to be employed in delivering the eradication program within their own communities, boosted community understanding of biosecurity, and improved the biosecurity response capacity and capability in the region,” Mr Steven said.
“Additionally, it has provided Biosecurity Queensland with operational flexibility, even once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.”
He said the partnership model had proved a win-win for Government and the local Indigenous people, and arrangements were being made to secure the rangers’ involvement in the program longer term.
