Agriculture and North-West Minister Ernie Bridge today announced plans to finalise the upgrade of the northern quarantine checkpoint to a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation.
The checkpoint, on the Victoria Highway near the Western Australian/Northern Territory border, will support the interstate quarantine work of the southern checkpoint at Norseman in preventing pests, diseases and weeds from entering WA.
At a function with the Ord Development Council, Mr Bridge outlined the funding allocation and the anticipated staged development of the facility.
"As a first step, I have been successful in attracting $200,000 of additional Government funds for essential capital works," Mr Bridge said.
"Planning for the development of buildings will start immediately, with full operation anticipated early in the 1993 dry season."
Mr Bridge said a significant increase in staffing would be required when the facility began operating around the clock, and discussions were underway to determine final numbers and arrangements.
