What’s happening?
The Townsville and District Beekeepers Association Inc is among the successful recipients in round two of the Community Bee Innovation Fund.
The grants are delivered by the Department of Primary Industries and support innovative projects to prepare and protect Queensland’s beekeeping and pollination-reliant industries from varroa mite.
Other funded recipients in this round include Bee Genetics Pty Ltd, Farmgate Honey Australia, Ipswich and West Moreton Beekeepers Association, Berries Australia Limited, Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society Inc, and Northern Gulf Resource Management Group Ltd.
Why it matters
Varroa mite management remains a key biosecurity priority for Queensland’s beekeeping sector.
Supporting local groups helps build shared knowledge, improve monitoring, and strengthen preparedness across the industry.
DPI General Manager for Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity Mike Reid said the latest grants place innovation at the centre of the response.
“We are excited to see a range of initiatives launch this month that harness innovative management and monitoring tools and enhance collective knowledge for Queensland beekeepers,” Mr Reid said.
Local impact
The funding supports education and engagement activities delivered by the Townsville and District Beekeepers Association Inc, helping local beekeepers prepare for varroa mite management.
Projects supported through the fund include community-focused activities such as field days, workshops, focus groups, and mentor programs.
Mr Reid said the grants back a wide range of approaches.
“From U-BEE-O testing and queen genotyping to community engagement and education such as field days, documentary short films, workshops, focus groups and mentor programs – these grants support creative solutions to varroa mite management in Queensland,” he said.
By the numbers, with context
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Seven organisations were successful in round two of the Community Bee Innovation Fund, supporting projects across Queensland.
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One funded recipient is based in Townsville, supporting local beekeeper education and engagement.
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One final funding round remains open under the program.
Zoom in
Bee Genetics Director Corinne Jordan said the grant funding supports practical learning and stronger connections across the sector.
“This strengthens work we’ve been undertaking and gives us the ability to take a major step forward with genomics, testing and mite population growth monitoring,” Ms Jordan said.
“At its heart this project is about ensuring Queensland beekeepers, from hobbyists to professionals, have the skills, confidence and data they need to face varroa head-on, and continue building a strong, sustainable future for our industry.”
Zoom out
The Community Bee Innovation Fund is designed to strengthen long-term biosecurity outcomes for Queensland.
It supports collaboration between beekeepers, growers, and industry groups to improve readiness and response to biosecurity threats.
What to look for next?
Applications for the final round of the grant program are now open.
Beekeeping clubs, groups, local governments, industry bodies, and agricultural businesses are encouraged to apply online, with applications closing 2 March 2026 at 5 pm AEST.
