Workshops to raise community's biosecurity awareness

Managing invasive species such as lantana will be discussed in Council's biosecurity workshops

The community's role and responsibilities in protecting Queensland from pests and diseases will be highlighted in a series of workshops to be presented by Scenic Rim Regional Council. 

Council is one of 12 applicants across Queensland to have secured funding in the first round of the Queensland Biosecurity Grants Program which supports the state government's efforts in bolstering biosecurity preparedness and resilience. 

Scenic Rim's Parks and Biodiversity Portfolio Councillor Amanda Hay said the free workshops, to be held across the region, aimed to increase the community's awareness and understanding of Council's biosecurity plan and of landowners' General Biosecurity Obligations (GBOs). 

"Presentations by Council's Biosecurity team, biodiversity officers and guest speakers will focus on the potential biosecurity risks to our region, including invasive weeds and animals," she said. 

"Recognising the diversity of the Scenic Rim and its primary producers, hobby farmers, environmental groups and residents, the workshops will aim to provide the knowledge and skills to empower our community in meeting the challenge of biosecurity threats. 

"Achieving short and long-term improvements in effective biosecurity measures will be vital in protecting our region's key industries of agriculture and tourism." 

The workshops will identify biosecurity risks relevant to the area, provide management practices and strategies on mitigating risks and provide an opportunity for Council to show landholders what it is doing to meet its own GBOs. 

Supporting the Scenic Rim Region Biosecurity Plan adopted by Council in July 2024, the workshops will provide information to assist stakeholders in developing positive biosecurity practices.  

Effectively managing invasive species requires the commitment of the entire Scenic Rim community working in partnership with Council as well as other levels of government, peak industry bodies and associations and environmental groups. 

"Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 everyone is responsible for taking all reasonable steps to stop the spread of invasive plants and animals," Cr Hay said. 

"The workshops aim to build a culture of collaboration in relation to biosecurity in our region and improve landholders' knowledge of biosecurity matters.  

"Council is grateful to the Queensland Government for its support of this important initiative." 

The workshops will run in each division across the Scenic Rim until the end of June 2025.