Local Biosecurity Plan Aligns With Statewide Push

The Queensland biosecurity system partners Graphic sourced: QLD GOV, Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024-2029

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council has reinforced its commitment to protecting the region from invasive pests and weeds, officially adopting the 2026-27 Hinchinbrook Local Government Area Biosecurity Plan.

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Adopted on Tuesday, June 30, the plan outlines strategic actions for managing priority weeds and pest animals across all land tenures while promoting a collaborative, community-wide approach to invasive species management.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, local governments are responsible for protecting their regions from invasive biosecurity threats, with Council reviewing the plan annually to ensure it remains responsive to emerging challenges and continues to support coordinated management efforts.

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The updated plan also aims to help landholders and the wider community understand their general biosecurity obligations, encouraging shared responsibility in managing invasive plants and animals.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said biosecurity is everyone's responsibility.

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“This Plan provides a clear roadmap for how Council, landholders, industry and the wider community can work together to protect Hinchinbrook's environment, waterways, agriculture and lifestyle from the impacts of invasive plants and animals,” Mayor Jayo said.

"The most effective biosecurity response is prevention and early action. By staying vigilant, reporting new pests and weeds, and meeting our general biosecurity obligations, we can reduce long-term impacts and costs while protecting the natural assets that make Hinchinbrook such a great place to live, work and visit.”

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The local plan announcement comes as the Queensland Government and Queensland Farmers' Federation expand the Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative into Far North Queensland, encouraging businesses to strengthen their own biosecurity practices.

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The initiative provides practical advice to business leaders on identifying and managing biosecurity risks, highlighting the impacts plant and animal pests and diseases can have on business operations through costly delays and reputational damage.

Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said businesses had embraced the initiative.

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"Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility. Businesses have a legal obligation to uphold biosecurity standards, but this initiative encourages corporate leaders to go further and protect Queensland's great lifestyle while safeguarding their bottom line. It's a win-win," Minister Perrett said.

"Biosecurity threats are an ever-present reality, so we need to stay vigilant and prepared to protect our industries, our economy, our environment and our way of life.

"Further, biosecurity underpins Queensland's ability to grow and produce clean, healthy and nutritious local food, and ultimately, strong biosecurity is the linchpin of a productive primary industries sector and regional and rural communities."

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"I'm pleased we can back the Queensland Farmers' Federation in taking this initiative to regional businesses and helping them not only identify, but lift their biosecurity practices."

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Queensland Farmers' Federation CEO Jo Sheppard said businesses across all sectors were beginning to recognise biosecurity as an essential part of risk management.

“Boards and leadership teams outside agriculture are starting to ask the right questions: is biosecurity on our risk register, have we trained our people, what would a breach actually cost us," Ms Sheppard said.

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“Business leaders from all sectors are encouraged to get involved and can access a range of resources from the QFF website to get the conversation started – it's about embedding biosecurity risk management as part of every company’s culture, just as we have for workplace health and safety, and cyber security risk management.”

The Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative supports the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024-2029, helping businesses build stronger planning and preparedness while complementing local government efforts such as Hinchinbrook's newly adopted biosecurity plan.

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The 2026-27 Hinchinbrook Local Government Area Biosecurity Plan is available on Hinchinbrook Shire Council's website. The Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative directly supports the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024–2029

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