Board Meeting: September 2020 Agenda Number: 12 (i) Record Number: ED20/7852 LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD BUSINESS PAPER OPEN SESSION ITEM Lord Howe Island biosecurity update. RECOMMENDATION That the Board: 1. Note the update and PMQ/LHI Biosecurity Audits. BACKGROUND The last positive fresh rodent sign was found on LHI on 9th October 2019. Biosecurity procedures, practices, and resources were not fully developed at this time. Substantial progress has since been made on improving biosecurity delivery. An emphasis has been placed on those actions which most directly relate to rodent biosecurity – however many of these actions encapsulate other pest species. Although being actively addressed, biosecurity vulnerabilities still exist. This update encompasses the period from Feb/March – mid August 2020. Significant changes to LHI biosecurity have taken place across this time. An external consultant conducted audits of LHI biosecurity practices and procedures (April 2020), and Birdon Shipping Port Macquarie practices and procedures (July 2020). These audits assessed the likelihood of pest introduction to LHI as ‘almost certain’ (has a >90% chance of occurring in the budgeted period if the risk is not mitigated) at the time (Attachment A & B). SUMMARY OF ACTIONS AND DATA 1) Rodent sighting/sign reports and follow up. • Sighting/sign report follow up/evidence collection processes have been formalised. o Expert process and decision making guidance document produced for use. • 26 suspected rodent sightings/sign reports have been made in 2020. • 9 reports were progressed to further monitoring/evidence collection activities. o These activities are conducted by biosecurity dog handlers and staff. o Led to over 250 additional hours of field work duties and reporting beyond regular work duties for detection dog handlers. • Rodent incursion plans have been produced for LHIB use/reference. • Rodent incursion kits and equipment have been purchased and are ready for use. Page 1 of 1 2) Arrivals Process for Vessels and General Aviation • The arrivals process for entering Lord Howe Island for vessels and aircraft has been updated. An application for entry to LHI is now applicable. • All vessels and flights need to complete pre-departure biosecurity actions. • The LHIB website has been updated with relevant new information. • All internal processes have been updated to reflect these changes. • As of 7th September 2020 LHI aerodrome requirements have been updated to require pre-notification of arrival –will assist with ensuring biosecurity staff are made aware of incoming flights and best able to allocate resources for inspections. 3) Shipping a) Birdon Freight • A significant rate of pest transport to LHI has been associated with shipping in 2020 (summary below). • Birdon Port Macquarie audit was conducted in July 2020. o Has informed the creation of a staged approach to biosecurity improvements which address the whole shipping and supplier biosecurity chain. • Birdon was issued with a Biosecurity Notification (under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015) on 18th June 2020. • Birdon have been actively engaged re: significant biosecurity improvements. o Currently being undertaken via collaborative and staged approach. Expected to meaningfully reduce ease of pest access to most cargo. b) Other visiting vessels • Visiting vessel biosecurity guidelines and pre-departure requirements have been developed and are in place. o Vessels must meet requirements in order to attach to LHI mooring. • Communications and educational materials for visiting vessels prepared for publication and distribution to East Coast Marinas, Yacht Clubs, etc. Page 2 of 2 4) Flights • Due to the effects of COVID-19, flight schedules have been greatly reduced since March. • Improved data collection procedures have facilitated improved reporting and record keeping – this will assist future decision making. • One significant interception was made of freshwater fish, and aquatic plants, which had been transported to LHI without the proper permits (species listed below) - 1 x Bristlenose Catfish – Ancistrus cirrhosis - 8 x Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon innesi - 5 x Assorted Male Guppy - Poecilia reticulate - 4 x Rosy Barb - Pethia conchonius - 1 x Blue Stricta live plant - Hygrophila Corymbosa - 2 x Aluminium live plant - Pilea cadierei o These species pose a risk of establishing in the wild and degrading LHI fresh systems/waterways. o The freight provider was provided with information regarding the transport of such goods and the requirement for permits to be provided prior to transport. o The consignee was issued with a Biosecurity Notification. Page 3 of 3 Flights met for Biosecurity inspection - 2020 120 100 80 60 Flights total Flights met 40 56 Numbers in chart Number of flight arrivals represent 20 52 84 percentage of flights met 0 0 Total Flights Passenger flights Cargo flights Other/Unknown flights 5) Suppliers of goods/freight • Major suppliers of cargo visited for initial biosecurity discussions and awareness building. • Communications for suppliers containing biosecurity obligations and practical checklists prepared. o Further educational materials will be prepared over time. 6) Permanent rodent surveillance network • Checking, maintenance, and network refinement continues – no significant finds. • Network will be expanded to include Dawson’s Point (due to proximity to yacht moorings). • Routine checks have doubled in efficiency. 7) Capital works update Biosecurity Jetty biosecurity inspection room Construct $ 75,000 Biosecurity Pallet stands Purchase $ 20,000 Biosecurity Biosecurity airport Goods $ 15,000 • Jetty Biosecurity Inspection Room - Research is being done into feasible options for the LHI Biosecurity inspection room, including a mobile option. The required specifications of this are currently being investigated. • Pallet Stands – Cantilever pallet stands have been reviewed and approved for installation at Birdon. Installation should be complete by end of September. • Biosecurity Airport – Details of this upgrade have been discussed with IES and we are awaiting further advice to move forward to quote. 8) Biosecurity dog handlers/staff • General duties have significantly expanded since role creation (see below). o Role description and title will likely be updated at next contract renewal. • Training in snake handling and firearms use being undertaken – core capabilities of role. • Data collection, management, and GIS training delivered. • Will be conducting wider LHIB staff rodent monitoring network training. Page 4 of 4 LHI Biosecurity Dog Handler Duties Pre REP Current Dog husbandry Dog husbandry Dog training Dog training Ship freight inspections – majority of cargo Ship freight inspections – all cargo Air freight/luggage inspections – highest number Air freight/luggage inspections – as possible possible with resourcing Port Macquarie freight inspections Port Macquarie freight inspections Permanent surveillance network checking Permanent surveillance network maintenance Private aircraft inspections Visiting vessel inspections Port Macquarie freight inspection reporting LHI freight inspection reporting Rodent sighting follow up (interview, analysis, etc.) Evidence collection network establishment Evidence collection network servicing/data management Weekly jetty/airport monitoring network checks PPP walking track detection dog searches Detection dog activity data management Detection dog activity GIS mapping and analysis Stakeholder communications creation/input Delivery of field training to other LHIB staff Maintenance of incursion preparedness Testing and refinement of data collection apps Input and refinement of reporting documentation Input into creation of policies/guidelines Maintenance of approvals and permits register 9) Priority Biosecurity Actions Update Progress on priority actions identified in 2020 LHIB biosecurity audit. The 2020 biosecurity audit contained many recommended actions for the improvement of biosecurity practises, procedures, policies, etc. Of these, 45 actions were identified as ‘priority 1’ actions. LHIB staff worked with SP consultants to formulate the previously presented and accepted budget – this budget attempted to best address these priority actions. Page 5 of 5 The below table and outputs summarise current progress in fulfilling these priority actions. As this is a summary, it does not wholly convey the relative complexity of, or resources required to achieve each recommendation. The ‘met’ (and several of the ‘in progress’) actions have already contributed to the delivery of significant biosecurity improvements for LHI. Although many of the ‘not met’ actions are not budgeted for (and therefore unlikely to be achieved), several ‘not met’ and almost all ‘in progress’ actions would be fully deliverable if adequately resourced/staffed for delivery within the current financial year. The likely impediment that any actions which are not met will impose to effective biosecurity delivery ranges from significant (e.g. fencing of the Birdon freight yard, initiation of actions to replace detection dog when required, development on pest monitoring and incursion plans), to moderate (e.g. Island Trader gangway modification). Action Status Count Met 6 Partially Met - Unlikely to be fully met this financial year 2 In Progress - On track for delivery in this financial year 3 In Progress - May possibly be delivered in this financial year 5 In Progress - Already past ideal delivery deadline (BTL position) 1 Not Met - May possibly be delivered with current resourcing,