TOR Guideline - Biosecurity

EIS information guideline Biosecurity

EIS information guideline Biosecurity

Threats to consider include: Animal biosecurity (health, disease), plant biosecurity (plant health, pests, diseases), invasive plants and animals (weeds, pest animals, exotic marine pests), chemical use, residues and contaminant risks), exotic tramp ants, Asian honeybee.

Relevant Acts

Biosecurity threats include declared plants under the Plant Protection Act 1989 and the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003, weeds of national significance, animal diseases under the Stock Act 1915 and Exotic Diseases in Animals Act 1981, and designated pests under the Public Health Act 2005. These acts also provide local governments with the legal instrument they need to enforce the management of high-priority weeds and pest animals. The Stock Act 1915 and Stock Regulation 1988 provide measures to address biosecurity risks relating to contaminants such as heavy metals and plant toxins in livestock animals.

For more information on biosecurity threats and their management, see

Note: The Biosecurity Act 2014 was passed in Parliament on 6 March 2014. It will come into effect by 1 July 2016. The Act delivers a single cohesive legislative framework for biosecurity in Queensland.

Addressing biosecurity

Matters to consider in addressing Biosecurity issues for an EIS include:

The location and abundance of any terrestrial or aquatic pest plants
The location and abundance of any terrestrial and aquatic pest animals, including those of economic or conservation significance
The location and abundance of marine pests
The location and abundance of any diseases for plant and animal pests
The location and abundance of any chemical residues or contaminants
Alignment with priorities for Pest Management as outlined in the Local Government Area Pest Management Plan
How existing biosecurity threats will be managed to prevent further spread
How the introduction and establishment of new biosecurity threats will be prevented
The potential impacts of biosecurity threats upon neighbouring properties
The potential impacts of biosecurity threats upon native flora and fauna
The quarantine arrangements and where decontamination facilities will be located
Locations of barrier fences and quarantine zones.

Matters to consider in addressing weeds and pest animals include:

The species of pests, on site and adjacent to the site
Risk assessment of identified species and their social, environmental and economic impact
How the risk of introduction of new pests will be managed
How existing pests will be controlled and their spread limited
If chemical control is proposed, what chemicals will be used, how will they be stored and disposed of and the proposed timing of their usage
What are the potential impacts of the chemical and other operations on agricultural production.

Mitigating biosecurity risks

If the project is identified as having a significant biosecurity risk, the proponent should describe the measures that would be taken to manage this risk. These measures should be tailored to the type, level and likelihood of the risk. A selection of measures that should be considered by the proponent in mitigating biosecurity risks includes:

Weeds and weed spread prevention and management

Identify and map weeds around a project area
Vehicles entering and leaving the project site should stick to designated roads and tracks and avoid weed-infested areas
Vehicle and machinery wash down and disposal areas should be monitored every 6-8 weeks for weed presence and if weeds are discovered they must be controlled in accordance with current control measures
Weeds removed through control activities must be disposed of properly
Equipment, boots, vehicles and machinery should be cleanedwhen leaving known weed-infested areas
Boats, propellers, trailers and any other machinery or equipment used in aquatic environments should be checked and any plant material removed before enteringor leaving waterways
Water transfer equipment should be appropriately designed so that the transfer of water does not spread aquatic weeds between water bodies
Control activities (herbicide spraying, fire) must be carried out in compliance with all relevant state and commonwealth legislation
Ensure that revegetation or landscaping activities use endemic vegetation species and any mulch or soil is weed free
Develop a weed management plan for the construction and operation of the project.

Feral animal management and control programs and measures

Describe the management strategies to be implemented to ensure that numbers of pest animals do not increase as a result of the project
Detail how pest animals will be managed around residential quarters, temporary camps, waste tips and other areas associated with the project
Describe the actions (such as regularly maintained exclusion fencing, secure bins) to be taken to ensure that rubbish and other potential food sources are inaccessible to pest animals
Describe actions to be used for the control of pest animals (i.e. trapping, baiting, exclusion fencing, monitoring)
Outline actions to be taken for the control of pest animals to prevent movement within or out of the project area
Ensure regulatory considerations and codes of practice in relation to the control of pest animals (e.g. firearms licence, humane destruction of pest animals) are adhered to.

Mitigating risk of disease and feral animals

Prevent access to food waste. Ensure food wastes containing animal matter are disposed of correctly to reduce the risk of disease. Consider potential access by both domestic and feral animals. Feral pigs in particular create special difficulties.

Use a licensed waste disposal contractor

Food waste should be collected and transported in containers that livestock and/or pest animals are unable to access

Dispose of material at a dump site that is adequately fenced and secure from animal entry to the site.

Mitigating the risk of marine pests entering Queensland

Monitoring, prevention and mitigation approaches for invasive marine pests are developed in accordance with the National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions (2010); the Australian marine pest monitoring manual, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Australian marine pest monitoring guidelines, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry or latest editions.

Mitigating the risk of disease-causing agents, weeds and chemicals

Disease, weeds and chemical contaminants can be brought onto a property with water or food, or on machinery. To reduce risks:

Assess water sources for diseases, chemicals or algal bloom
Ensure machinery is cleaned and disinfected with high-pressure water or air to remove soil, weed seeds and other contaminants before entry onto the property
Clean and disinfect equipment thoroughly.