The Cape York Biosecurity Centre at Coen is a shadow of its former self after the site was handed back to Traditional Owners and key infrastructure, like the inspection shed, was removed in 2024. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
A peak agricultural organisation says a gaping hole in Cape York’s biosecurity left by the former Labor government must be closed as a priority to protect the future of Queensland’s multibillion-dollar farming sector.
The Cape York Biosecurity Centre at Coen was shuttered in June 2023 and handed back to Southern Kaantju Traditional Owners, who have since removed key infrastructure at the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) site.
Ahead of last year’s state election, the Liberal National Party (LNP) promised to reopen the facility as part of a $50 million campaign promise to boost Queensland’s biosecurity footprint, however, the outcome of a State Government review into its closure is yet to be finalised.
AgForce general president Shane McCarthy said the organisation had been given assurances the review was on the agenda of the new government, and that it was “encouraged” by the commitment to re-establish a biosecurity presence on the PDR.
“AgForce has been assured that the Crisafulli government is committed to reviewing the closure of the Cape York biosecurity facility at Coen,” he told Cape York Weekly.
“We are encouraged by this government’s early signs of commitment to enhancing biosecurity across the state, particularly in the north, which is critical to protecting broadacre agriculture in Queensland.”
Mr McCarthy said AgForce would continue to monitor the Coen situation and was prepared to hold Premier David Crisafulli and his government to account if reopening the facility fell off the radar.
“[W]e will continue to hold the government to their commitment to strengthening biosecurity with an additional $50m over the next four years, including the employment of staff in key regional locations – which should include Cape York,” he said.
“AgForce will continue to monitor this matter closely and be prepared to strongly advocate for solutions that avoid any detrimental impact on broadacre agriculture in Queensland.”
While Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett was unavailable for an interview, a spokesperson said the outcome of the review would dictate what path was taken to re-establishing a Cape York biosecurity presence.
“There are a number of factors to be considered, and we are seeking and reviewing information to formulate our plan for the best way forward,” the spokesperson said.
“The minister is working through this with his department and the local Member for Cook, David Kempton, at present.
“We took a bold commitment to the election to beef up biosecurity across the state; our northern line of biosecurity defence is a critical part of our plan to protect Queensland.”
AgForce general president Shane McCarthy (right) says the organisation will hold the State Government to its pre-election promise to reopen the Cape York Biosecurity Centre at Coen as part of a $50 million pledge to boost the state’s biosecurity muscle. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
