The NSW Government is implementing its biosecurity response following the detection of a red imported fire ant nest at the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre in Sydney's inner west.
The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is responsible for biosecurity surveillance and response at the Intermodal Centre which is a key logistics and warehousing facility for the freight industry.
Following an inspection at the site, DAFF discovered fire ants in a lure used as part of their detection system. A fire ant nest was then found and subsequently treated.
Specialist fire ant detection dog teams have undertaken surveillance at the site and immediate vicinity. No other nests have been found at the Intermodal Centre.
DAFF entomologists have confirmed the ants to be Solenopsis invicta – red imported fire ants.
Genetic analysis undertaken by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program this week confirmed the fire ants are likely to have originated from overseas via container and are not from the main Australian fire ant impacted site in Southeast Queensland.
The NSW Government has established an Incident Management Team in response to the detection and has engaged the Fire Ant Biosecurity team which is comprised of experts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Queensland-based officers from the National Fire Ant Program.
Over the coming two weeks, the NSW Government will be working closely with local businesses and the community neighbouring the Intermodal Centre, to build awareness, educate and assist members of the public with monitoring for fire ants to contain this invasive pest.
The immediate focus is on inspecting properties and treating any potential location within a 500-metre radius of the Intermodal Centre, then undertaking surveillance and treatment where required in the surrounding 2km radius. These distances are based on scientific understanding of how queen fire ants can move and potentially establish a new nest.
Following the community engagement period a Biosecurity Control Order will be implemented to enable NSW Government teams to appropriately manage risks within the biosecurity zone, with a focus on businesses involved in moving or working with fire ant carrier materials.
Local businesses that deal in soil, turf, building materials or vegetation nurseries are the priority focus for the Government to work with so those businesses can quickly understand what measures need to be taken to identify, contain and eradicate any incursion in a way that minimises disruption of their day-to-day activities.
Eradication of fire ants is possible, and biosecurity teams have successfully eradicated fire ant nest incursions in the northern rivers over the last three years and in 2014 at a Botany port incursion.
A community information drop-in centre will start operating from this afternoon at the Chullora Marketplace, 357 Waterloo Road, Greenacre to help businesses and residents understand how to identify the ants and what to do if they see them.
Multiple language information materials have been produced to ensure the local community can prepare.
Businesses and residents in the area around the Intermodal Centre will be reminded to remain vigilant and if they encounter suspect ants or ant mounds, to report it immediately:
- LEAVE IT: Do not destroy or treat the nest or try to capture ants.
- SNAP IT: Safely take a clear photo or video for identification.
- CALL IT: Call the helpline on 1800 680 244 or submit an online form.
