Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ‘not aware’ Qld had officially exported deadly fire ant into NSW
The Premier said she was “briefed on a lot of things” and was not aware Queensland had officially exported the deadly and destructive insect into NSW, 48 hours after the alarm was raised.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was not aware Queensland had officially exported the deadly and destructive fire ant into NSW, 48 hours after the alarm was raised.
The NSW agriculture department on Saturday confirmed three fire ants nests had been found in South Murwillumbah, 13km south of the Queensland border.
It is the first incursion of the super pest from Queensland into NSW since the ant was first detected in 2001.
It marks the potential end of the eradication effort, with a recent review of the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication program warning all hopes would be “lost forever” if the pest jumped the border.
It comes as more fire ants have been detected on an island near North Stradbroke (Minjerribah).
On Monday afternoon, Ms Palaszczuk said she was “not aware” the ant had crossed into NSW.
It was noted the detection was made public on Saturday afternoon, with Ms Palaszczuk saying she was “briefed on a lot of things” and would be happy to get a further update from Agriculture Minister Mark Furner.
“I get briefed on a lot of things and there’s been a lot of other issues around at the moment. I’m happy to get Mr Furner to discuss further,” she said.
NSW authorities and detection dogs are working on determining the extent of the infestation, undertaking genetic testing of the fire ants, and searching all properties within the control radius.
It’s understood the nests were found on a council-owned vacant lot on Quarry Rd, South Murwillumbah, which was part of a new industrial estate.
Businesses and residents within the perimeter are now restricted in how they can move potential fire ant carrier materials without permission.
The movement of mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products are restricted.
NSW authorities and detection dogs are working on determining the extent of the infestation, undertaking genetic testing of the fire ants, and searching all properties within the control radius.
Meanwhile, Mr Furner, in a question on notice, confirmed two fire ant nests had been found on Macleay Island, also known as Janguwajah, in August and October.
It follows a major find of more than 100 nests on Minjerribah earlier this year.
“To achieve local eradication of the islands it was recommended that six rounds of broadscale treatment be applied out to 2km from known infestation during 2023-24, followed by annual surveillance over three years to provide confidence that the islands are clear of the pest,” Mr Furner said.
“To date, the program has completed the initial response treatment around all detections, plus three rounds of broadscale treatment of the Dunwich infestation at an approximate cost of $140,000.”
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