Biosecurity Risk Assessments

What is a Biosecurity Risk Assessment?

A biosecurity risk assessment identifies and evaluates the risks posed by invasive species, pests, and diseases on development sites and recommends management measures to meet biosecurity obligations. In Queensland, all persons have a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) under the Biosecurity Act 2014 to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise biosecurity risks.

For development sites, biosecurity risks arise from the potential to spread invasive species through soil movement, vegetation clearing, land disturbance, and the transport of materials and equipment. Invasive plant species (weeds), invasive animal species, and biosecurity pests such as fire ants can be inadvertently spread during construction and development activities, causing ecological harm to receiving environments and creating legal liability for developers and contractors.

A biosecurity risk assessment provides the evidence base for a biosecurity management plan, ensuring that development activities comply with the Biosecurity Act 2014 and do not contribute to the spread of restricted matter, prohibited matter, or other biosecurity risks. This is increasingly requested by councils, principal contractors and project managers on higher-risk sites, particularly in South East Queensland where fire ant biosecurity zones add an additional layer of regulatory compliance.

When Do You Need a Biosecurity Risk Assessment?

Development Involving Soil Movement

Any development that involves the import, export, or redistribution of soil has the potential to spread biosecurity risks, particularly fire ants and weed propagules. In the fire ant biosecurity zones that cover most of South East Queensland, movement of soil and other fire ant carriers is regulated under the Biosecurity Regulation 2016. A biosecurity risk assessment identifies whether the site is within a fire ant biosecurity zone and specifies the management requirements for soil movement.

Vegetation Clearing

Vegetation clearing activities can spread weed seeds and plant propagules through machinery, green waste, and soil disturbance. A biosecurity risk assessment identifies the invasive plant species present on the site, assesses the risk of spread, and recommends management measures including weed treatment prior to clearing, machinery hygiene protocols, and green waste disposal requirements.

Development Application Requirements

Many local governments in Queensland now require biosecurity risk assessments as part of the development application process, particularly for developments in rural, semi-rural, and peri-urban areas. Council conditions frequently require biosecurity management plans to be prepared and implemented as part of construction management.

Mining and Resource Projects

Mining and resource projects involve significant land disturbance, vehicle movements, and material transport that create elevated biosecurity risks. Environmental Authority conditions commonly require biosecurity risk assessment and management planning, particularly for weed and pest management across the mine site and access corridors.

Infrastructure and Linear Projects

Road, rail, pipeline, and transmission line projects traverse multiple properties and land types, creating corridors for invasive species spread. Biosecurity risk assessments for linear projects address the risks associated with clearing corridors, soil stockpiling, and the movement of machinery and materials along the route.

Our Process

1. Desktop Risk Screening - We review available data including fire ant biosecurity zone mapping, restricted matter records, weed distribution data, and local government pest management plans to identify known biosecurity risks for the site and surrounding area. We determine the regulatory requirements that apply, including fire ant movement controls, restricted matter categories, and any local biosecurity plans in effect.
2. Invasive Species Survey - We conduct a targeted field survey to identify and map invasive species present on the development site. This includes:
   • Invasive plants (weeds) - mapping the location, extent, and density of all weed species, with particular attention to restricted matter species under the Biosecurity Act 2014
   • Fire ants - visual inspection for fire ant nests and activity, particularly in disturbed areas, garden beds, footpaths, and along fence lines. Where fire ants are detected or suspected, we advise on notification obligations and treatment requirements
   • Other invasive fauna - identification of restricted invasive animals present on the site, such as cane toads, feral cats, wild dogs, and pest fish
3. Risk Analysis - We analyse the biosecurity risks identified during the desktop and field assessment, considering the likelihood and consequences of spread for each identified risk. We classify risks according to the restricted matter categories under the Biosecurity Act 2014 and identify the specific obligations that apply to each restricted matter.
4. Biosecurity Management Plan - We prepare a practical biosecurity management plan that prescribes the actions required to manage identified biosecurity risks during development. The plan addresses:
   • Pre-construction weed treatment and fire ant management
   • Machinery and vehicle hygiene protocols
   • Soil movement controls and fire ant carrier movement requirements
   • Green waste management and disposal
   • Monitoring during construction
   • Post-construction weed management and monitoring
   • Reporting and notification obligations
5. Reporting - We deliver a comprehensive biosecurity risk assessment report that documents the survey findings, risk analysis, and management plan. The report is formatted to meet local government, state government, and industry requirements and provides a clear compliance framework for the development.

Related Services

• Ecological Assessments - comprehensive ecological surveys that include weed and pest assessment
• Ecosystem Restoration and Rehabilitation Plans - restoration plans that incorporate weed management and biosecurity controls
• Vegetation Management Act Assessments - assessment of vegetation clearing and associated biosecurity risks
• Significant Residual Impact Assessments - assessing ecological impacts including invasive species spread

Get a Quote

Queensland Ecologists provides biosecurity risk assessments for developments across South East Queensland and regional Queensland. With fire ant biosecurity zones expanding and councils increasingly requiring biosecurity management plans, early assessment of biosecurity risks can prevent costly delays and compliance issues during construction.

Contact us today for a no-obligation quote on your biosecurity risk assessment.

Request a Quote Online or call us on (07) 3018 7538.