Biosecurity, Kangaroo Island

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister update the chamber on the additional biosecurity signage measures recently installed on Kangaroo Island?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:48): I thank the honourable member for his question. I'm always happy to talk about Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island's relative isolation and unique pristine environment are internationally recognised and loved by South Australians and overseas visitors alike. Kangaroo Island's clean and green image and freedom from many pests and diseases found on the mainland are key to its economic and social wellbeing; however, transport services to Kangaroo Island are, of course, a major risk pathway for biosecurity incursions.

I'm pleased to advise that several new initiatives are underway or have recently been completed to continue to improve awareness of biosecurity restrictions on Kangaroo Island. Public awareness activities include signage and biosecurity bins at strategic entry points to Kangaroo Island by sea and air and pre-arrival messaging and information regarding entry restrictions for SeaLink and airport passengers.

Media campaigns to promote biosecurity and signage have recently been enhanced and upgraded, with some additional signs strategically placed in an attempt to inform travellers entering the SeaLink terminal or when boarding the SeaLink or KI Connect ferries. Biosecurity signage in the vicinity of the SeaLink ferry terminal and at the KI Connect loading ramp is more comprehensive, with a mix of visual aids of biosecurity requirements to assist non-English speaking travellers through to explanations about specific biosecurity requirements.

Two biosecurity bins located at Kingscote Airport and two at the Cape Jervis ferry vehicle loading area were refreshed in September 2022, with new signage above and on the bins. Two new biosecurity bins have also been constructed and are due for installation at Penneshaw in February 2023, this month. The bins will be located at the SeaLink terminal and the Kangaroo Island visitor centre and will have the same branding and signage as existing bins.

A new sign will soon be installed on the side of the PIRSA biosecurity checkpoint office at Cape Jervis wharf. The large, eye-catching sign will include an image of Remarkable Rocks with wording 'Keep me clean' in reference to the long-running and notable 'Keep me wild, keep me sweet, keep me clean' campaign. This sign is in addition to existing legislative signage that includes visual aids to outline biosecurity restrictions.

The Kangaroo Island Biosecurity Rebuild Project 'Keep me wild, keep me sweet, keep me clean' social media campaign has been successfully run during peak visitation periods over the last year and has commenced again for the summer holidays 2022-23. The social media boosted posts across Facebook and Instagram have reached over 185,000 people within the targeted audience, who were served the post multiple times, resulting in over one million impressions. It represents good value for money and is a positive way to promote biosecurity requirements to a wide and wider audience.