The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the recent announcement that a Geelong truck wash will cease operations this year is set to leave a “gaping hole” in the state’s biosecurity safety.
The VFF is calling on the Victorian government to overhaul what it calls a “failing network” after the announcement of the Geelong truck wash site closing in September.
VFF livestock president Scott Young says the Geelong facility’s announced closure date follows the Packenham truck wash closure in late 2024 and has left Victoria vulnerable to biosecurity incursions.
“Our biosecurity safety net is only as strong as its weakest point and with the closure of washes in Packenham and now Geelong, we’re left vulnerable,” he says.
“Truck washes are a vital part of keeping of our industry safe and detecting any potential threats. In the event of an emergency animal disease, the need for an efficient and effective truck wash network would be central to a state-wide response.”
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“We now have two massive holes within our truck wash network on the eastern and western side of Melbourne and increasing movement of livestock into Melbourne meat processors is going to see this only increase.”
Young says the industry needs “increased investment” from government and industry to ensure vital infrastructure can keep operating. This includes fast-tracking new and planned truck washes to ensure biosecurity preparedness remains high.
“There’s an obvious need for the government to step in and overhaul the state’s failing truck wash network in the wake in these closures,” he says.
“There’s arguably no bigger threat to Australian agriculture than a large-scale biosecurity outbreak. We see investing in this infrastructure as insurance to help protect our multi-billion dollar industry.”
The VFF is echoing previous calls for the government to scope new facilities as well as dedicated effluent management within the greater Melbourne area, calling on dedicated government funding to maintain and upgrade existing truck washes.
The VFF is also urging the government to ensure that a new facility uses the latest technology to enable best practice biosecurity.
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