Australia’s defence against crippling biosecurity threats was strengthened with the recent launch of the Charles Sturt University Biosecurity Hub (the Hub), a co-investment in research and training of almost $30 million to enhance the nation’s biosecurity defences, protecting our food, farms and communities.
The Hub brings together a multidisciplinary team of expert researchers, scientists and trainers from various fields, including microbiology, ecology, veterinary and animal science, environmental science, AI and cyber futures, extended reality and biosecurity training.
The University has long-standing partnerships in biosecurity, including collaborations with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Asia-Pacific government and industry partners, state government agencies, industry and the community, and is equipped to tackle a range of current or emerging biosecurity threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Hub focuses on leadership in research and development, traceability innovation, education and training, capacity-building initiatives and building and maintaining strong partnerships.
It will specifically respond to threats as outlined by the CSIRO, where it is estimated invasive species cost Australia approximately $25 billion a year.
Estimations for specific diseases are just as dire: the direct economic impact of a large multi-state outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease could reach $80 billion over 10 years. If khapra beetle were to become established, it could cost the economy $15.5 billion in just 20 years.
Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor and President professor Renée Leon PSM expressed pride in the global impact the university is having on protecting Australia and neighbouring countries against potentially devastating biosecurity pests and diseases.
“Charles Sturt University is a national leader in biosecurity research and training initiatives, spearheading innovation and transformation efforts to safeguard Australia's food, farms, environment and communities from the increasing threats posed by pests, weeds, and diseases,” Professor Leon said.
“Our Biosecurity Hub focuses on strengthening Australia’s capacity to detect, prevent and respond to pests and diseases that threaten our food, farms and our future.”
Biosecurity Training Centre (BTC) academic director David Mackay highlighted the University is at the forefront of training frontline personnel who are protecting Australia’s borders and those of its Asia-Pacific partners.
“Charles Sturt University has been working with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) since 2022, utilising the University’s teaching and research strengths to train more than 840 frontline biosecurity officers in capabilities, contributing to the sector’s goal of growing the country’s agricultural production to $100 billion by 2030,” Mr Mackay said.
Executive director of the Charles Sturt Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment, professor Lee Baumgartner says the Hub's program of biosecurity activities is dedicated to identifying and mitigating biosecurity threats.
Professor Baumgartner mentioned the University’s THRIIVE program, which stands for the ‘Training Hub promoting Regional Industry and Innovation in Virology and Epidemiology’ as a key initiative.
“THRIIVE is dedicated to developing skills in agricultural epidemiology and virology to identify and counter zoonotic viruses like foot-and-mouth disease virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, avian influenza virus, swine flu, Australian bat lyssavirus and Hendra virus,” Professor Baumgartner said.
In the past five years, Charles Sturt University has produced more than 640 graduating students with biosecurity capabilities.
