THE high standards of Australia’s biosecurity efforts aren’t just employed at the major usual first point of entry ports, such as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Fremantle. Every port must exercise due diligence to catch any potential threats that may have slipped through at previous port calls. Flinders Port Holdings (FPH) is the operator for seven ports across South Australia, including Port Adelaide, acting as gateways into the state.
General manager of Flinders Ports, Captain Carl Kavina spoke to DCN about the port operator’s commitment to biosecurity measures.
“Flinders Ports has had no reported biosecurity incidents at our Ports or Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal” Captain Kavina said.
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“To maintain the hygiene of our facilities, helping to ensure the security of Australia’s borders, our in-house Marine Services Team conduct berth hygiene activities including cleaning drains to prevent water pooling and managing seed growth, they also perform weed control.
“Biosecurity spill kits are provided (and regularly serviced) at all First Point of Entry ports and facilities.”
Despite having a clean slate as far as incidents are concerned, Captain Kavina describes the company’s awareness of the importance of yearly preparation for the BMSB season.
“In preparation for BMSB season, Flinders Ports is displaying hitchhiker pest awareness information on internal communication boards, raising awareness about exotic pests, and outlining the See Secure Report process.
“Flinders Ports has not made any changes to our biosecurity processes in the past year.”
August saw a new bill directed at protecting South Australia’s growing agriculture sector, Biosecurity Bill 2024, introduced to the state parliament.
The state government said the bill will enable a responsive approach to biosecurity management to ensure the southern state remains a strong link in the country’s biosecurity system.
As to whether FPH views the bill as a step in the right direction for the state’s biosecurity, Captain Kavina affirms, “Yes, through our ports operations, we rely heavily on local primary industry. Anything to help protect them is great.”
Meanwhile, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced a $70-million investment to help Flinders Port Holdings electrify its operations, using green finance to steer the industry toward lower emissions.
Captain Kavina clarified that this investment is not expected to impact FPH’s biosecurity operations specifically, but, “Any investment made will be with biosecurity in mind.”
“FPH will work closely with the CEFC over the next seven years to seek approval to draw on the loan facility to fund specific sustainability projects, which could include installing solar systems, replacing internal combustion light vehicles and the electrification of key infrastructure.”
Speaking on the relationship between FPH and DAFF, Captain Kavina detailed the close working relationship between the two parties.
“Flinders Ports assist the Vector Monitoring Officer by providing labor to access drains and conduct surveillance work. In addition, Flinders Ports recently presented our port operations to DAFF and SA Health to discuss vector monitoring at our owned ports as well as the response guidelines in the event of an exotic mosquito being detected.”
Captain Kavina added that FPH invite DAFF to port stakeholder meetings, including meetings for cruise ship pre-arrival and port security.
