Champions of Tasmania’s biosecurity have been recognised at the second annual Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards.
The awards recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the State’s biosecurity and this year.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said this year’s award winners were worthy recipients, in the categories of Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.
“Bettina Elischer is the recipient of this year’s Community Biosecurity Award,” Minister Howlett said.
“Bettina is an employee at the Office of the Governor at Government House, whose contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and Biosecurity Tasmania’s statewide bee pest surveillance program has been outstanding.
“Bees were reintroduced at the Government House Tasmania Estate in 2015 and have been managed since that time to improve horticultural pollination onsite.
“One hive is also used as a ‘sentinel’ hive for Biosecurity Tasmania surveillance activities.
“Bettina has promoted the importance of biosecurity in beekeeping through educational workshops and bee pest training days.”
This year’s winner of the Industry Biosecurity Award is TasPorts.
The work by the Tas Ports Environment and Sustainability Team increases awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports.
“TasPorts has developed educational and reference material tailored to each port, workshopped biosecurity threats and reporting pathways with operational staff, and conducted follow-up inspections and verifications to ensure compliance and we are grateful for their biosecurity efforts,” Minister Howlett said.
The Tasmanian Government has invested $5 million into biosecurity to protect our borders under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
