Project Leader, Organisation

Sheila Charlesworth, Burnett Mary Regional Group

Status

CANCELLED due to COVID-19

Background

The Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) is the peak body for natural resource management (NRM) for a region comprising the Burnett and Mary river catchments and the associated sub catchment areas of the Kolan, Elliott, Gregory, Baffle, Burrum and Isis rivers.

The Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) has secured funding for an inaugural regional biosecurity conference. The conference focus will encompass all aspects of biosecurity for the region targeting an audience of national agriculture departments and organisations, interstate and regional councils, national and local produce farmers, national and regional grazing livestock farmers and experts in waterways: national and regional.

Objectives and impact

This major conference will bring together plant health professionals and invasive species experts from across Australia, New Zealand & beyond, to discuss strategies for improving plant biosecurity and establish a sustainable knowledge exchange for our region.

The Conference will provide a platform for attendees to understand the benefits of increasing biosecurity. Diligent biosecurity comes in the form of reduced losses from plant pests and disease through robust prevention, early detection and effective mitigation.

There are a number of ways in which biosecurity can be implemented and these will be reflected in the four main themes of this conference:

  • emerging risks
  • movement across borders
  • technology
  • understanding behaviours