Tweed Shire Council is encouraging residents and businesses to remain vigilant following the detection of red imported fire ants at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast, just 5.5 km north of the NSW border.
The fire ant detection was confirmed last Friday at an equine centre at Tallebudgera, about 5.5km north of the NSW border. The most southern and closest detection to the NSW border yet, the nest has since been destroyed.
The NSW Government, which is leading the charge against the invasive pest, said the latest detection on the Gold Coast had triggered the NSW Biosecurity (Invasive Ant Carriers) Control Order 2023, which puts restrictions on the movement of materials that can bring the ant into NSW.
Materials such as mulch, soil, hay, straw, sand, gravel, turf, potted plants and earthmoving and agricultural machinery cannot be moved from within a 5 km radius of the detection site without inspection and certification by Queensland authorities.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said it was important all residents and business operators – particularly those involved in the agriculture, building, quarry and landscaping industries – were on high alert for fire ants.
"To date we have not had any confirmed detections of fire ants in the Tweed and we want it to stay that way," Cr Cherry said.
"To do this, we really need everybody to be on the lookout for these invasive pests.
"It is the responsibility of every individual to do the right thing and make sure they comply with the Control Order, so they don't inadvertently import fire ants into NSW when transporting goods such as animal feed, baled hay, mulch, soil, landfill and other materials.
"The pests can also easily be transferred via soil moving equipment such as tractors and the like.
"Anyone bringing these goods into NSW from Queensland should check if they came from areas within 5 km of a known fire ant infestation. Such goods are subject to strict entry conditions and must be accompanied by a certificate.
"Customers who buy these items or accept them onto their property should first enquire where the goods were located prior to entry into NSW and whether entry requirements have been met."
Cr Cherry urged people to visit the NSW Government website to check entry requirements for anyone moving such products into NSW from any fire ant biosecurity zone in Queensland.
A map showing all fire ant detection sites in Queensland over the past 12 months is published on the National Fire Ant Eradication Program website. The Queensland Government also has rules that apply to people and businesses moving materials that can carry fire ants.
Guided by the invasive pest team at NSW DPI, Tweed Shire Council is responding to the risk through the introduction of several new measures:
-
training of field-based staff to ensure they're alert to signs of fire ants
-
amending procurement procedures to ensure all materials used on Council properties are certified free of fire ants
-
amending Development Application procedures to ensure developers are aware of new control orders
-
supporting the NSW DPI with local knowledge and contact channels.
The NSW DPI has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign, with a mailout to all Tweed households completed in recent weeks. Digital noticeboards are also now present on several major Tweed arterial roads to alert motorists.
How to report suspicious fire ant activity
Anyone who suspects fire ants on their property is urged not to disturb the nest but to call the NSW DPI immediately on 1800 680 244 to report the incident.
Fire ants can look similar to other ants but their nests are distinctive with mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40 cm high, with no obvious entrance holes.
Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and are from two to six millimetres long. They are very aggressive and will swarm out of the nest if gently poked with a stick. If people are stung, the multiple stings fire ants inflict form white pustules within 48 hours.
Look for them in sunny open areas, including lawns, parks, school grounds, sports fields, golf courses, gardens, foreshores, paddocks, disturbed soil and roadsides.
Fire ants may be found in areas where hay, turf, mulch, soil, potted plants, sand, gravel, or agricultural machinery have been used or stored, especially goods from southeast Queensland.
They can spread up to 5 km by flying and can be moved in nesting material, which includes mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay, other baled products, and even pot plants.
Residents and businesses should report any sign of fire ants to the NSW DPI on 1800 680 244.
