Research shows fire ants will cost $15 million on the Coast in pesticides and medical expenses
The cost of fire ants to Gold Coast households has skyrocketed, with the region considered “ground zero’ unless the pest is stopped, a new report warns.
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The cost of fire ants to Gold Coast households has skyrocketed to $15 million annually with the region considered “ground zero’ unless the pest is stopped, a new report warns.
An Australian Institute report estimates fire ants could cause six deaths, trigger 116,000 medical visits and sting households with extra costs from medical expenses to pet care.
The most impacted state electorates are projected to be Coomera on the Coast, along with Bundamba, Jordan in Ipswich and Logan.
Data shows Coomera alone, in the city’s fast growing north, will be hit with annual bill of $3,061,000 with more than $2 million of that spent on pesticides.
As fire ant numbers surge across the Coast, the statewide bill will reach $188m – up from the earlier $22m Australia-wide estimate unless urgent action is taken.
Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta said Queenslanders were
facing immediate fire ant costs now, but they would be a problem for the whole country.
“Their stings can harm and kill humans, wildlife and pets, will cost Australia over $2 billion
per year and slash agricultural output by up to 40 per cent,” he said.
‘Our environment, health and lifestyle are at stake. Imagine not being able to enjoy your local
park or beach because it’s infested with deadly fire ants. It’s already happening overseas
where they are out of control.
“For every dollar spent on fire ant eradication, the public benefit is estimated to be between
$3 and $9. Despite this clear return on investment, none of the parties contesting the
upcoming Queensland election have committed to ongoing fire ant eradication funding.
“We’re calling on all candidates ahead of the Queensland state election in October to make
this a priority and commit to sustained funding eradication efforts while we still have a
chance to win this fight.”
The report reveals the following breakdown on Coast electorates:
* Coomera (includes Pimpama and Ormeau) $3,061,040 – 25,795 stung, 1935 need medical attention, 519 require epipens.
* Gaven (Nerang and Pacific Pines) $1,721,211 – 15,011 stung, 1126 medical help, 300 anaphylactic reaction.
* Currumbin (Palm Beach, Elanora and Tallebudgera) $1,511,495 – 14,427 stung, 1082 medicals, 289 need epipens.
* Mudgeeraba (Merrimac, Bonogin and Springbrook) $1,882,072 – 17,612 stung, 1321 medical need, 352 anaphylactic reaction.
* Mermaid Beach (Miami and Robina) $1,532,937 – 16,120 stung, 1209 medical help, 322 epipens.
* Bonney (includes Labrador and Southport) $1,492,744 – 16,941 stung, 1271 medical need, 339 epipens.
* Broadwater (Hope Island and Paradise Point) $1,652,727 – 14,819 stung, 1111 seek medical help, 296 anaphylactic.
* Burleigh (Palm Beach and Varsity Lakes) $1,510,688 – 15,097 stung, 1132 need medical, 302 epipens.
This masthead had obtained the council’s submission to the Senate inquiry which says the city’s infestations increased from 17 suburbs to 76 from 2016 to 2023.
Mayor Tom Tate in the submission said the Fire Ants Response plan had failed in those areas impacted by the pest.
The eradication zone has reached the Tallebudgera Valley. The scheduling of only two treatments in the 5km eradication zone in the Gold Coast was below industry standards with three required annually.
Expanding the treatments along with the area from 5km to 10km would help, Mr Tate said.
Lifestyle committee chairman Glenn Tozer, in an update since the mayor’s submission late last year, said the treatments from the national program had increased to three.
“We have observed significant progress in the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP),” he said.
New mapping shows the current National Fire Ant Eradication Strategy operates within the 10km eradication zone and the 5km surveillance zone, he said.
The NFAEP says 100 per cent of targeted properties in the eradication zone would be treated “multiple times”. The mapping shows the zone on the Coast’s southern border with the treatment area heading northwards.
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