| The department of Agriculture and Fisheries is seeking to progress implementation of the Co-investment model and develop Biosecurity Act information for Local Governments; projects which will contribute directly to the implementation of the Queensland Government Biosecurity Capability Review and Biosecurity Queensland strategic directions.
Biosecurity Queensland is progressing a significant reform agenda where one key focus area is to continue to build the concept of shared responsibility, capacity and capability amongst government and non-government organisations for weed and pest animal management outcomes.
Therefore, the delivery of the following components will directly contribute to progressing the Biosecurity Queensland reform Agenda.
- Biosecurity Act information for Local Governments
As part of a new approach, Queensland's biosecurity legislation is changing to be less prescriptive and have a more outcome-focused approach on the ongoing management of pests and diseases.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) the main biosecurity function of each local government will be the management of invasive plants and animals in its area.
The Biosecurity Act will provide local governments with a more comprehensive range of response tools and associated powers to address the unique nature and tactical challenges presented by individual biosecurity threats. Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) has commenced the roll out of specific training to local government operational and managerial staff to support them with the implementation of the Act.
This training has identified the need for local government specific resources with respect to compliance and implementation. Therefore, it has been proposed that this information be made available to local governments through a local government specific portal that BQ needs developed.
- Co-investment model
The department has been working on a Land Protection Fund to support the Co-investment Model that provides for:
- stronger governance – responding to the requests of local government to have more direct input to the investment of their contributions into the Land Protection Fund
- increased regional collaboration that can leverage additional investment from other sources
- agreed regional weed and pest animal management priorities.
The model includes the establishment of a state-wide oversight group with local government nominees, the formalisation of regional pest management groups within regional local government decision making forums and agreed funding methodology for the Land Protection Fund.
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