A $39,106 grant has been awarded to fund a business feasibility study into creating an Indigenous owned biosecurity decontamination hub in the Torres Strait.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said there is potential for Badu Island to become a biosecurity hub for the outer Torres Strait.
"Regional not-for-profit organisation COE has joined forces with Indigenous business Crystal Ailan," Minister Littleproud said.
"Together with other regional stakeholders, COE will investigate the possibility of creating a biosecurity decontamination hub on Badu Island.
"Northern Australia is on the frontline of the nation's biosecurity, and the islands of Torres Strait are in a unique position to keep Australia safe from pests and diseases.
"A biosecurity decontamination hub could help ensure items with potential pest, weed or disease presence or contamination - such as used vehicles, plant and machinery, cargo and shipping containers - can be properly treated before being moved from Torres Strait.
"This study will look at the economic feasibility of getting this off the ground - costs, employment and importantly, the benefit it will provide to the community and Australia's national biosecurity.
"Easy, common-sense measures in the Torres Strait can mean saving billions in jobs, livelihoods and entire industries for the rest of Australia, and I'm incredibly proud to be supporting this initiative."
The Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch said this is a great investment in the Torres Strait and a recognition that the communities there are on the frontline of our biosecurity.
'The indigenous business and organisations have the chance to grow and create jobs in the north while protecting all of us from the pests, weeds and disease that can enter our country."
Crystal Ailan Pty Ltd Director Edmund Tamwoy said the grant was an opportunity to build on existing infrastructure.
"Crystal Ailan already has two wash-down stations on Badu Island," Mr Tamwoy said.
"This grant will allow us to look at whether expanding our infrastructure and establishing a biosecurity decontamination hub on the island is viable, sustainable and profitable. My vision is to create economic growth through employment and training.
"We will work with government and community stakeholders as well as local businesses like Sea Swift to develop our business plan and look forward to receiving COE's assessment."
Fast Facts:
- Participants in the project include Community Owned Enterprises, Crystal Ailan, Mura Badulgal Registered Native Title Body Corporate, SeaSwift, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Torres Strait Regional Authority, Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Torres Shire Council, Telstra, Department of Defence, Federal and Queensland Police, Department of Education, and the Department of Health.
