The Queensland Government has announced it is beefing up Queensland’s biosecurity frontline with 100 extra biosecurity officers, funded in this year’s Budget.

The first 25 of the 100 biosecurity officers have either started or are in recruitment, in time to mark National Biosecurity Week.

It delivers on the Queensland Government’s commitment to beef up biosecurity with $50 million for 100 additional officers to be based in rural and regional locations in biosecurity hotspots.

Thirteen new biosecurity officers have started across Toowoomba, Biloela, Rockhampton, Cairns, and Charleville, while recruitment for a further 12 will be complete in coming months, to be located in south, north and central regions.

The 100 officers will include specialist veterinarians, stock inspectors, and agronomists.

These new hires will play a key role in working alongside industry and local government to meet the challenges of biosecurity threats by adopting local needs-based solutions, ensure biosecurity obligations are met and enforce Queensland’s world-leading biosecurity standards.

The Queensland Government is also delivering on its promise to review the decision to close the Cape York Biosecurity Facility at Coen, with the review to be complete by year-end and inform an evidence-based approach to biosecurity defence.

The Queensland Government’s visionary 25-year blueprint, Primary Industries Prosper 2050, will underpin the Government’s ambitious target to boost the sector’s output to $30 billion by 2030.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy by growing Queensland’s primary industries sector.

“Queensland’s produce is some of the best in the world and strengthening our biosecurity frontline will help protect it into the future,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“Beefed-up biosecurity protects our crops and livestock so we can protect the livelihoods of regional Queenslanders.

“Only with strong biosecurity can we reach our goal of boosting primary production to $30 billion by 2030.”

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Queensland Government is restoring our biosecurity frontline.

“The foundations of this 100-officer team have been laid, the priorities for different regions are being set and recruitment will be targeted to local needs in collaboration with local government and other stakeholders,” Minister Perrett said.

“It is my expectation all our new officers will work closely with industry and embed themselves in rural and regional communities, all part of our commitment to rebuild the Department of Primary Industries’ reputation as an industry enabler, not an inhibitor.

“Strong biosecurity is the linchpin of prosperous, productive primary industries and of safe, secure industries products and lifestyles that we enjoy and value in Queensland.”

Learn more about National Biosecurity Week here.