The NSW Government has committed to an investment in fighting off biosecurity threats, after complex global outbreaks have made Australia’s geographical distance buffer near redundant. 

Over $160 million will be dedicated towards improving biosecurity measures to protect regional NSW communities, where the agricultural industry is currently thriving. 

Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said new approaches are necessary to protect the industry and its economy. 

“The regions continue to make a remarkable recovery after a really difficult few years, however a biosecurity incursion that could put our agricultural industries in jeopardy could reverse all of the hard work that has been done to get our communities back on their feet,” Mr Toole said. 

Recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease in Indonesia mean the geographic buffer is no longer guaranteed for Australia. 

The risk to the economy is simply not worthwhile.



Treasurer Matt Kean said a global increase in the volume, complexity and severity of biosecurity outbreaks requires early intervention and investment in new techniques and technologies.  

“Tackling the rising global threat of pests, weeds and diseases will underpin the health of our planet and people, and underwrite our economic prosperity,” Mr Kean said. 

“That’s why we’re scaling up our early detection and emergency response capacity to mitigate outbreaks before they take hold.” 

Under the funding, a focus on predator baiting, animal disease vaccines, invasive ant surveillance and aquatic disease response capacity. 

NSW Farmers Biosecurity Committee Chair Ian McColl said the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease would ‘punch a huge hole’ in exports, a warranted concern given its proximity to Australia. 

“We know what we need to do on biosecurity, and this is a positive step from the state government,” Mr McColl said. 

Mr McColl said NSW Farmers was keen to see the detail of the state's funding arrangements and wanted to see co-ordination with the newly-elected federal government's promise to deliver a long-term, sustainable funding that will go directly to strengthening Australia’s biosecurity system.

The addition to the 2022-23 NSW Budget is said to ‘future-proof’ one of the state’s biggest industries.