Protecting the Strait
Biosecurity officer first for the islands
MICHAEL Zitha has taken on the challenge of being Australia’s first line of biosecurity defence.
A born and bred Torres Strait Islander, Mr Zitha started work this week as Queensland’s first biosecurity officer based in the islands.
He said he was excited, proud and honoured to be given that title.
“I saw this job come out and I thought this is something I would want to do,” Mr Zitha said. Mr Zitha previously worked as a community service manager for the Torres Shire Council.
“My background is community engagement and development – that’s why I got interested in this job.”
In addition to his duties for Biosecurity Queensland, Mr Zitha also works with his federal counterparts to protect the northern border.
A main motivation for Mr Zitha is to make it safer for his grandkids, children and family to live their lives without worrying about biosecurity.
“We can enjoy our day to day life without being affected by disease in our region,” he said. The Torres Strait is constantly at risk from threats such as African swine fever and the oriental fruit fly.
In addition, Mr Zitha is tasked with protecting the strait from pests and diseases from the mainland – such as cane toads and the Panama disease that affects bananas.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the northernmost islands in the Torres Strait are also only 4km from Papua New Guinea.
“It presents a high risk of plant and animal pests and diseases being introduced,” Ms Lui said. “Having a dedicated Biosecurity Queensland officer in the area, greatly improves our ability to work with other government agencies and the community to respond to new pests, weeds and diseases as they occur.”
Mr Zitha has a message for those travelling to the Torres Strait.
“Visit the Biosecurity Queensland website and check what you can and cannot bring in to the Strait,” he said.