ABGC staff recently visited Opal’s Innisfail depot to see its truck wash facility in action and learn more about the practical steps Opal is taking to support effective TR4 management. Opal is an affiliate member of ABGC, supporting the broader industry thanks to their contribution.
Opal is an Australasian paper, recycling and packaging company, manufacturing cardboard boxes, cartons and paper bags across Australia and New Zealand.
With strong ties to the agricultural sector, Opal is committed to supporting biosecurity and protecting the industries and communities it serves. As part of this commitment, a range of measures have been implemented across its operations to minimise the risk of disease spread and contamination.
Following the consolidation of the Tully depot into Innisfail in 2023, Opal introduced a dedicated truck wash facility as a proactive biosecurity measure. Since then, all delivery trucks have been required to pass through the wash before entering the depot, ensuring every vehicle is cleaned and disinfected each time it returns from a local delivery run.
The wash system uses Norcide, a disinfectant specifically selected to support hygiene and biosecurity protocols. To ensure maximum effectiveness, the chemical solution is topped up daily, while the wash system is emptied and thoroughly cleaned at the end of each week. In addition, approximately 80% of the water used in the wash is recycled, supporting both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Biosecurity procedures extend beyond the truck wash. To reduce the risk of cross-contamination between growing regions, Opal’s delivery fleet is divided into two dedicated service areas and each truck passes through the truck sanitiser before re-entering the depot after completing deliveries to farms:
- Two trucks are dedicated to servicing growers south of Mission Beach and the Tully region.
- Three trucks are dedicated exclusively to the Innisfail area.
- Trucks do not cross between delivery regions, ensuring equipment remains within its designated area.
Pallet management also forms a key part of our biosecurity program. All pallets returned to the depot are sprayed with Norcide before being reused, helping to minimise the risk of transferring soil-borne pests and diseases. To further strengthen these practices, work is currently underway to develop an in-house pallet sanitisation station.
Opal also works closely with customers to maintain these standards. Only clean pallets are collected from customer sites, with any excess dirt or sand required to be removed before collection by their drivers.
These measures demonstrate Opal’s commitment to supporting growers through practical and proactive biosecurity initiatives. By maintaining strict hygiene protocols across their fleet, facilities and equipment, they continue to play their part in protecting the long-term health and sustainability of the banana industry.
Opal regional Territory Manager, Amanda Ogilive, has emphasised Opal’s commitment to the banana industry and its recognition of the important role the ABGC plays in supporting growers and the industry across Far North Queensland. The knowledge, tools, advocacy and support the ABGC provides to growers are instrumental to the ongoing success and future of the banana industry.
Opal is proud to be part of the banana industry and to support growers and the industry wherever we can. Our affiliation with the ABGC reflects our commitment to working together to strengthen the industry and support the growers and communities that are so important to Far North Queensland.”
If your business is interested in becoming an Affiliate Member of the ABGC, we encourage you to explore the benefits of joining our growing industry network and support community. Learn more about membership and how to get involved here: https://abgc.org.au/membership-clone/
Current Affiliate Members with a success story, achievement, or industry insight are encouraged to get in touch. Please contact Emily Hoang, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected].