Queensland Biosecurity Strategy
Protecting Queensland's economy, environment and lifestyle.
The Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024–2029 (the strategy) builds on the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2018–2023, establishing a collective focus for tackling plant and animal pest and disease threats.
About the strategy
Queensland relies on a robust biosecurity system to protect animal, plant, human and environmental health.
The strategy establishes an overarching framework to guide collaborative efforts by all partners to protect our economy, environment and lifestyle.
It calls on every Queenslander to assist the biosecurity system to develop the capability and capacity needed to shield Queensland from continuously evolving biosecurity risks.
Single, united vision and shared goals
Queensland is protected from biosecurity threats through the coordinated and informed efforts of all Queenslanders.
Queensland thrives from a collaborative, efficient and future-focused biosecurity system committed to safeguarding our environment, economy, communities and lifestyle from biosecurity threats.
Our shared goals for Queensland's biosecurity system are to:
- prevent the entry, spread or establishment of exotic pests and diseases in Queensland
- contain, suppress or manage significant pests and diseases already present in Queensland
- contribute to Queensland's food security and maintain our reputation as a safe and high-quality trade partner
- protect Queensland's economy, environment, biodiversity, rural and regional communities, and way of life
- prepare for and effectively address new pest and disease incursions.
Guiding principles
Biosecurity requires an integrated system where all partners understand and fulfil their roles.
As a collective, we agree on these guiding principles that underpin the strategy and cultivate a stronger biosecurity system for our state.
- Trust: partners commit to transparency, sharing and mutual learning.
- Collaborate: partners commit to coordinated effort in recognition of its vital role in a robust biosecurity system.
- Participate: partners commit to engagement, acknowledging that proactive and preventative measures are more effective than reactive remedies.
- Innovate: partners commit to challenging the status quo and developing responsive solutions.
- Future-focused: partners commit to addressing current threats and evaluating the future by scanning Queensland's horizon and assessing emerging risks, challenges, opportunities and trends.
Strategy scope and alignment
The strategy:
- addresses challenges and opportunities for the entire Queensland biosecurity system
- covers exotic pests and diseases not yet present in Australia and endemic ones that are already here
- encourages a risk-based approach for prioritisation and allocation of effort.
In Queensland, the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld) establishes the legislative framework for biosecurity. This legislation supports the strategy by providing comprehensive biosecurity measures to protect Queensland. It also reinforces that everyone plays a role in biosecurity by establishing the general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
Coordinated efforts between states and at the national level are crucial for good biosecurity outcomes. Recent examples like white spot disease in prawns, red imported fire ants and varroa mite confirm cross-border biosecurity vulnerabilities. These examples reiterate the importance of aligning state and national efforts to safeguard our interconnected industries, environments, economies and communities.
This strategy builds on and aligns with the National Biosecurity Strategy 2022–2032 and its implementation and action plans.
It also serves as a framework to support the biosecurity plans of:
- local government
- specific industries and sectors
- individuals and farms.
Drivers
Queensland's biosecurity system needs to continually adapt and evolve to effectively prevent and respond to these drivers:
- Uniqueness (of Queensland) — national parks, coastline, northern location, borders 3 states, suitable climate
- Disruptors — climate change, disease, natural disasters, war, decreasing biodiversity, global shift to sustainability
- Movement — impact of trade, future tourism, illegal activity/online shopping
- Population — growth forecasts, development, urbanisation
- Land use — land diversification, competition for agricultural areas with infrastructure, land conservation
- Innovation — emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionise how we detect and manage biosecurity risks.
Biosecurity system partners
Partners assume crucial roles within Queensland's biosecurity system, contributing diverse perspectives, expertise, lived experience and resources.
Partners fulfill their part through:
- collaborative decision-making
- expertise and knowledge sharing
- community action
- trusted relationships.
Themes
To achieve our vision and purpose, we will act under 6 priority themes:
- collaborative governance and leadership
- every Queenslander plays their part
- empowered to act
- innovation and intelligence
- valuing and building on our investments
- response effectiveness and preparedness.
Next steps
Focus areas identified under each theme of the strategy set the approach for each partner when developing actions to support and monitor progress towards achieving our outcomes.
As part of the implementation approach, annual statements of intent will guide action under focus areas over each 12-month period for the life of the strategy.
The strategy's implementation will be assessed according to a monitoring and evaluation framework.
As knowledge grows and actions under the strategy are delivered, additional information will be added.
Download the strategy
Download the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy 2024–2029.