A new $10.7 million hi-tech biosecurity platform, built on advances made during the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest in DNA technology, will make it easier and faster for scientists and researchers from around Australia to identify pest and disease threats to our primary industries.
The Minns Labor Government is taking the lead on delivering the Biosecurity Trakka, a five-year partnership designed to modernise Australia's plant biosecurity defences.
Biosecurity Trakka will provide a secure online hub for DNA sequencing, data storage, analysis and aggregated viewing for stakeholders from around the country including scientists and decision-makers nationally.
The project will be led from the NSW Government's Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute and is expected to be completed by 2030. The development of the Biosecurity Trakka is an extension of Aus Trakka which was used to support surveillance during COVID-19.
DNA sequencing is an important tool used by all Australian biosecurity departments to rapidly identify the significant number of pest and disease threats to primary industries.
Using the new shared DNA sequencing data platform will reduce response times by enabling quick identification of exotic plant pests and diseases, which can facilitate timely action to mitigate threats.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will lead the project through the core delivery team and steering committee over the five years. Other partners include the vegetable industry and Hort Innovation, Australian governments, universities and Bioplatforms Australia, other plant research and development corporations.
For NSW the project delivers two key benefits:
- By having access to vital information on biosecurity incursions in other jurisdictions we can test and develop new and effective diagnostics tools to detect and respond if interstate outbreaks reach NSW.
- By building capacity in other jurisdictions to successfully detect and respond to biosecurity threats the impact on NSW is dramatically minimised.
The Biosecurity Trakka project brings together leading experts from across Australia including:
- With NSW DPIRD as the lead, the University of Melbourne's AusTrakka, used to trace the source of COVID infections during the Pandemic, will leverage existing Trakka expertise to lead platform analysis and advise on the data sharing agreement.
- Agriculture Victoria will have design input and deliver beta testing, as well as host a national simulation exercise.
- DPIRD WA will lead the user feedback group to ensure the platform is user friendly.
- The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will lead the data sharing agreement.
- Australian National University and Bioplatforms Australia will support a Trakka training program to upskill multiple users in each jurisdiction.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
"This is a major project that is bringing together the nation's experts to develop a world-leading tool to defend against some of the country's most invasive and destructive pests and diseases.
"The collaboration will help expand access to bioinformatics expertise nationwide while strengthening biosecurity preparedness in our state's $25 billion agriculture sector.
"Pest and diseases have no respect for State borders. This project recognises that the faster and more efficiently we identify and deal with outbreaks then the better off everyone is.
"Biosecurity Trakka will play a critical role in removing delays in DNA sequence sharing during suspected exotic pest outbreaks.
"It is exciting to know our NSW DPIRD staff will take the lead on this project to ensure outcomes are delivered that will enhance biosecurity preparedness not only for our state, but for all of Australia."
Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield said:
"This is a powerful example of what's possible when industry and government work together. Biosecurity Trakka brings pandemic-proven technology into plant health, delivering faster diagnostics, stronger national coordination and real, on-the-ground benefits for growers facing pest and disease incursions.
"The project is a strong example of innovation through collaboration, bringing together government and all seven plant RDCs to strengthen Australia's biosecurity infrastructure and safeguard the future of Australian agriculture."
Director Animal and Plant Biosecurity Research and Diagnostics Will Cuddy said:
"Everyone at the NSW DPIRD's Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is excited we are leading this project and delivering critical work to improve Australia's preparedness for biosecurity threats.
"Our goal is to ensure we're meeting the project's outcomes by sharing our expertise and learnings gained from previous biosecurity responses to ensure Biosecurity Trakka supports a national uplift in capability.
"Being able to collaborate across jurisdictions and with key stakeholders makes this a special opportunity to deliver something that can benefit all industries and the economy."
