NOTE: Nominations for the Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards closed on 31 August 2023
In 2023, Biosecurity Tasmania is hosting the inaugural Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards. The awards will recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have shown a strong commitment to supporting and promoting biosecurity in Tasmania, and the systems that underpin Tasmanian biosecurity.
What are the Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards?
The awards will recognise outstanding biosecurity projects and represent a platform to reinforce, recognise and promote positive biosecurity behavioural change in the industry and community. This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.
Biosecurity is foundational to the economic, social, and environmental assets of Tasmania, underpinning our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, as well as unique terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, and pristine natural wilderness of immeasurable value to Tasmanians and visitors to the state.
Tasmania has some of the world's most stringent biosecurity regulations to protect the State's environment and primary industries from introduced pests and diseases - from both overseas and from mainland Australia.
We all share the benefits of a strong biosecurity system and the critical role it plays in maintaining the agriculture sector that allows us to continue to protect and enjoy our way of life.
What categories are there?
For the inaugural Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards there are two award categories:
In addition, all finalists in each category will be recognised as ‘Biosecurity Champions’ and join a prestigious network of biosecurity advocates in Tasmania.
The awards will be judged by an independent Awards Committee made up of representatives from the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Fruit Growers Tasmania, the Biosecurity Advisory Committee and Biosecurity Tasmania.
Award Criteria
The Community Award recognises individuals, groups or organisations that make a significant contribution to delivering biosecurity outcomes in the community. The criteria are as follows:- Designs, implements or contributes to biosecurity reform initiatives within their organisation and/or community to support Tasmania’s biosecurity integrity.
- Demonstrates significant biosecurity integrity and raises biosecurity awareness within their operations or community.
- Identifies, reports or contributes to the management of a disease outbreak or pest incursion.
- Reports suspicious activities that may be of biosecurity concern.
- Makes an outstanding contribution to protecting or maintaining animal or plant health.
- Raises awareness of Tasmania’s biosecurity requirements off island.
The Industry Award recognises individuals, groups or organisations that have demonstrated a significant contribution to maintaining Tasmania’s biosecurity integrity. The criteria are as follows:
- Designs, implements and/or contributes to biosecurity reform initiatives within their organisation and/or industry sector to support Tasmania’s biosecurity integrity.
- Demonstrates significant biosecurity integrity and raises biosecurity awareness within their operations and/or industry sector.
- Collaboratively works with the department to manage biosecurity risk.
- Identifies, reports and/or contributes to the management of a disease outbreak or pest incursion.
- Reports suspicious activities that may be of biosecurity concern.
- Makes an outstanding contribution to protecting or maintaining animal or plant health, and raises awareness of Tasmania’s biosecurity requirements off island.
Award winners
Nominations have now closed for the inaugural Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards. The independent Awards Committee will now assess the nominations received to determine the winners in the Community and Industry award categories.
Information on the category winners will be released soon.