News

CEO Elizabeth Skirving recognised at RDA Tasmania's Tasmanian Regional Development Champions Awards

Rural Business Tasmania is proud to share that our CEO Elizabeth Skirving has been recognised at the recent RDA Tasmania's Tasmanian Regional Development Champions Awards 2025, receiving a Highly Commended Award for Recovery and Resilience.

This honour reflects her unwavering dedication, strength and commitment to supporting our rural communities. Elizabeth consistently shows what it means to lead with heart, rise to challenges and create positive change for the Tasmanian community.

Rural Business Tasmania Honoured with TAPG Award for Excellence in Agriculture

Rural Business Tasmania (RBT) has been recognised with the Tasmanian Agriculture Productivity Group (TAPG) Annual Award for Excellence in Agriculture - Service to the Agricultural Industry, celebrating the organisation’s longstanding contribution to supporting farming families, small businesses and regional communities across Tasmania.

Accepting the award on behalf of RBT, Chair Michal Frydych said the recognition reflected the resilience, commitment and collaboration of Tasmania’s rural sector.

“This award is not about one organisation alone. It is about the determination of our rural communities and the dedicated staff who walk alongside them every day,” Mr Frydych said.
“Through services like the Rural Financial Counselling Service, Farm Advisory and Support Service, our Rural Business Hub in Launceston, and partnerships with groups such as TAPG, Tasmanian Women in Agriculture and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, we are proud to strengthen both the financial and social fabric of agriculture in Tasmania.”

The partnership between RBT and TAPG has deepened in recent years, including TAPG’s invitation to join the Forum of Rural Stakeholders and RBT Consulting’s provision of administrative and financial support. Having TAPG’s Executive Officer, Terry Brient, based at the RBT Launceston Hub has also strengthened collaboration and showcased the breadth of services available to the agricultural sector.

Mr Frydych highlighted the role of RBT’s dedicated staff team and valued partners: “Our staff bring compassion, professionalism and determination to their work every single day. This award reinforces the importance of working together across industry, government and community to ensure Tasmanian agriculture continues to thrive, even amidst cost pressures, climate challenges and market uncertainty.”

TAPG Chairman Mark Kable congratulated RBT on the award. “Rural Business Tasmania has been a trusted partner for our industry and a strong advocate for rural and regional communities. This award reflects their tireless efforts and the value they bring to our sector.”

The award was presented at the TAPG Annual General Meeting on Friday, 17 October, recognising Rural Business Tasmania’s enduring leadership, advocacy and service to the state’s primary industries.

Pictured below: Elizabeth Skirving CEO of RBT, Terry Brient EO of TAPG, Michal Frydrych Chairman of RBT

Potato Mop Top Virus

What is Potato Mop-Top Virus?

Potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani) is a serious plant virus that affects potato crops. It reduces the quality of tubers, can cause internal defects, and in some varieties, impacts overall yield.

PMTV is spread by the soil-borne organism that causes powdery scab in potatoes (Spongospora subterranea). Powdery scab is unfortunately widespread across Tasmania and mainland Australia, which makes the presence of PMTV a significant concern for industry and home growers alike.

The good news is there are no food safety or human health risks linked to PMTV or powdery scab - infected potatoes are still safe to eat.

Recognising PMTV in Potatoes

Symptoms of PMTV vary depending on the potato variety and the infection source. They can appear both in leaves and tubers:

Distorted skin on tubers
Deep cracking of potato skin
Rust-coloured arcs, streaks, or flecks inside the flesh
Yellow, blotchy discolouration on potato leaves (often V-shaped)

How PMTV Spreads

PMTV moves between properties through:

Soil stuck to boots, machinery, or equipment
Infected seed potatoes
Waste from infected potato crops

What Growers and Gardeners Can Do

Farmers & Landowners

Keep your farm biosecurity plan up to date. Support is available through groups such as VegNET Tasmania and TasFarmers.
Clean and disinfect boots, machinery, and equipment before moving between paddocks.

Contractors

Always discuss biosecurity measures with property owners before entering.
Follow the “Come clean, go clean” principle by removing soil and plant material from machinery, equipment, and footwear before moving to a new site.

Home Gardeners

Clean garden tools and footwear regularly.
If possible, keep a pair of shoes dedicated to gardening only.
Place footbaths at the entry/exit of community gardens.
Only plant certified seed potatoes. Potatoes purchased from supermarkets or roadside stalls should never be planted.
Stay alert for unusual symptoms in potato plants or tubers.

Report Suspected PMTV

If you see unusual disease symptoms in potatoes:

Email Biosecurity Tasmania at Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au with photos and your contact details.
You can also call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

For more information

Visit:

NRE Tas - https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/potato-mop-top-virus
FarmPoint - FarmPoint is an initiative of the Tasmanian State Government and is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. FarmPoint is designed to help people navigate through the large amount of information available online. FarmPoint has identified a number of sites of benefit to Tasmanian producers and created links to connect producers directly with that information https://farmpoint.tas.gov.au/

Services Australia Mobile Service Centre

A mobile service centre will return to Tasmania in late September 2025.

Services Australia's mobile service centres offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of rural and regional communities.

They can help you with:

new claims for most Centrelink payments
updating your information in our records
confirming documents and supporting information, such as certifying copies of birth certificates
access to a self service terminal
using online accounts and Express Plus mobile apps.

They can also give you information about:

Medicare transactions
Medicare registrations
how financial matters may impact your payments
payment and service options to suit your needs
rural payment entitlements for eligible farmers
social work support and referrals.

For more information: Visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/mobile-service-centres

H5 Avian Influenza (H5 Bird Flu) Information

Since 2021, the H5 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) virus has been spreading globally, impacting wild bird populations and some mammals.

Important to note:
• Currently, no cases of H5 bird flu have been detected in Tasmania or anywhere else in Australia.
• This virus is most likely to enter Australia via migrating wild birds from areas where outbreaks continue.
• There is no effective treatment for bird flu in infected animals.

What you can do:
• Report sudden or large numbers (more than 5) of sick or dead birds or animals to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.
• Do not touch sick or dead birds or animals as a precaution.
• Continue reporting via existing pathways if you have established reporting obligations.

The Tasmanian Avian Influenza Readiness and Response Plan is in place, outlining response if an outbreak occurs. Temporary restrictions on activities and access may be necessary.

For more information: Visit the NRE Tas website at www.nre.tas.gov.au/BirdFlu.

An information sheet for Bird Flu and Small Business is available here: https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Information%20sheet%20-%20Bird%20flu%20and%20small%20business%20-%20October%202025.pdf

Stay informed and help protect our wildlife and agriculture.