VFF Livestock president Scott Young said the Geelong facility announced closure date follows the Packenham truck wash closure in late 2024 and has left Victoria vulnerable to biosecurity incursions.
“Our biosecurity safety net is only as strong as its weakest point and with the closure of washes in Packenham and now Geelong, we’re left vulnerable,” Mr Young said.
“Truck washes are a vital part of keeping of our industry safe and detecting any potential threats. In the event of an emergency animal disease, the need for an efficient and effective truck wash network would be central to a statewide response.
“We now have two massive holes within our truck wash network on the eastern and western side of Melbourne and increasing movement of livestock into Melbourne meat processors is going to see this only increase.
“We need increased investment from the government and industry to keep vital infrastructure like this operating.
“This includes fast-tracking of new and planned truck washes to ensure our biosecurity preparedness remains high.
“There’s an obvious need for the government to step in and overhaul the state’s failing truck wash network in the wake in these closures.
“There’s arguably no bigger threat to Australian agriculture than a large-scale biosecurity outbreak.
“We see investing in this infrastructure as insurance to help protect our multi-billion dollar industry.”
The VFF is reiterating previous calls for the government to:
- Scope new facilities as well as dedicated effluent management within the greater Melbourne area and dedicated government funding to maintain and upgrade existing truck washes.
- Ensure that a new facility uses the latest technology to enable best practice biosecurity.
