The response centre will act as the headquarters for the state’s biosecurity operations including responses to polyphagous shot-hole borer and Queensland fruit fly
The West Australian state government has unveiled its new A$97.3mn State Biosecurity Response Centre, a state-of-the-art headquarters for Western Australia’s crucial biosecurity operations.
The new centre will house the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) biosecurity operations, incident response teams and diagnostics, and laboratory services to manage pest and disease threats to Western Australia.
“As a priority, DPIRD’s emergency response teams will be among the first to move across followed by other biosecurity functions,” said agriculture and food minister, Jackie Jarvis.
The critical polyphagous shot-hole borer and Queensland fruit fly response teams will be among the first to operate from the new centre, with other teams to follow in stages.
“This new State Biosecurity Response Centre provides a modern and functional workplace for our biosecurity staff which reflects the vital work they do managing pest and disease threats to the state,” Jarvis said.
Located in the Canning Vale industrial area, the centre will accommodate between 200-300 staff when fully operational.
The 4ha site includes modern office accommodation, 6,000m2 of warehousing, a large hardstand area for new modular laboratory buildings and car parking.
These facilities will support the state’s core biosecurity functions of surveillance, investigations, diagnostics and response activities.
“Our government is investing significantly in biosecurity to ensure we are well placed to respond to increasing pest and disease threats and to safeguard our state’s valuable agricultural export industry,” Jarvis said.
