Barnes Bay being the Commonwealth's only 'island' quarantine station, made Bruny an ideal location for plant quarantine activities. It was the only place during the 1950s where plants could be placed in quarantine in Tasmania.
Plant material from all over the world destined for use in other parts of Australia was propagated and tested here for freedom from disease. Breaches of quarantine were potential sources for the introduction of serious exotic diseases which, once established, could have serious health and economic consequences for all Australians.
Port Inspectors checked plants for live insects, contaminants such as soil and general health condition, and undertook fumigation of plants and seed with methyl bromide in Hobart. Methyl bromide, used as the sterilising agent, was a powerful gas, which travelled through the plant and killed internal feeders. It is virtually odourless, being an accumulative poison with no antidotes. Officers received adequate training in the use and handling of methyl bromide, and safety precautions to be taken.
The plants were then taken to Bruny Island where they were potted up, given liquid feed and water and kept under observation for two growing seasons.
The Quarantine Station site came to the end of another era in its life when the Plant Quarantine Station closed March 7th 1986 and relocated to Kingston.
