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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 354 asked in the Legislative Council on 23 June 2021 by Hon Steve Martin

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD — BIOSECURITY — GREAT CENTRAL ROAD

354. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:

I refer to the increased traffic entering Western Australia via Great Central Road.

(1) Given the increased traffic on that road, what extra measures has the minister put in place to counter the increased potential for biosecurity breaches at our border?

(2) Is the minister aware of recent roadwork activity at the Great Central Road quarantine checkpoint just east of Laverton making it difficult for travellers to use the quarantine bin areas?

(3) Can the minister provide assurances that the Western Australian agricultural sector is being adequately protected by the state's biosecurity apparatus?

Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:

I thank the member for the question. I have sought photographic confirmation of the answer that I will give here and I am satisfied that it is reasonable.

(1) The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has four quarantine signs situated on the Great Central Road commencing at the information bay, where there is also a quarantine bin. The signage is then placed at 500 metres, five kilometres and 100-kilometre intervals from the information bay towards the state border. The signage and quarantine bin were upgraded in November 2020 to encourage compliance with the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007.

(2) Although the information bay area is being used as a layover area, travellers still have access to the quarantine bin, which is clearly marked. The road crew provide direction to the quarantine bin to ensure occupational health and safety measures are also adhered to.

(3) Quarantine efforts to safeguard the state from biosecurity risks remain a high priority for the government. Interstate travellers at all checkpoints and border crossings are reminded of the legal requirement to dispose of quarantine risk–material in quarantine bins or declare to a quarantine inspector.