Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has begun work to help establish a private veterinary practice on Flinders Island.
The Government committed $980,000 during the election campaign to assist the Flinders Island Council to secure appropriate facilities and provide incentives for a private veterinarian to set up on the island.
Flinders Island Council and Biosecurity Tasmania recognised the need for a private veterinary practice to service native fauna, domestic and production animals.
It was also recognised that some incentive may be required to attract a private veterinarian to the municipality.
Once established, the practice will provide a valuable service to the community, one which is currently not easily available, and will help improve biosecurity and animal welfare outcomes on the island.
Biosecurity Tasmania is in the final stages of finalising the grant deed with the Council.
It is anticipated that the private veterinary practice will be operational by 2023.
Biosecurity on the Bass Strait islands will also be strengthened through the permanent and full-time recruitment of a Senior Biosecurity Officer and Biosecurity Inspector on Flinders Island as well as a Biosecurity Inspector based on King Island.
The King Island Biosecurity Inspector will commence induction and training on mainland Tasmania in August before arriving on the island and recruitment for the Flinders Island roles is under way.
