Redland Cyclones’ fields shut after deadly fire ant nests found at Charlie Buckler grounds

A bayside rugby club has been forced to close its grounds as it undertakes an extermination program to clear dozens of fire ant nests.

Redland Cyclones Rugby Club grounds have been infested with fire ants. Pictures: JUDITH KERR

A major rugby union ground on Brisbane’s bayside has been forced to close after the fields were found to be riddled with nests of deadly fire ants.

Closure of Redland Cyclones Charlie Buckler playing fields at Redland Bay comes weeks before pre-season training starts and the first pre-season game in March.

Redland Cyclones Club secretary James Eaton closed the grounds after an inspection this week.

“There are fire ant nests throughout the fields and the entire ground will need to be treated when the weather clears,” Mr Eaton said.

“I certainly got a shock at the spread of the infestation.

“At this stage, we need to remind our members, particularly young children, to stay away from the ground.

“Entire perimeter fencing will be completed soon.”

White posts mark the fire ant nests on the Cyclones field at Redland Bay. Picture: JUDITH KERR

Mr Eaton said along with his concern for the safety of the entire community and the footy players, he wanted to ensure the deadly insect did not spread to nearby parks and homes.

The alarming outbreak at the football fields in Redland Bay, came two months after an incursion of the deadly pest was found in New South Wales.

The NSW Farmers Association blamed the Queensland government for “ineffective management” of the infestation, first spotted at southeast Queensland construction sites 20 years ago.

Biosecurity Queensland said nobody had been stung during the latest outbreak at the Charlie Buckler playing fields and officers were working with Redland City Council to remove the ants as fast as possible.

“The Queensland government has also provided an additional $37.5 million in funding and is collaborating with all southeast Queensland councils, including Redland City Council, to treat and suppress fire ants in areas awaiting eradication treatment,” Biosecurity Queensland said.

“The recent detection of fire ants at the Redland Cyclones Football Club on January 4, highlights how disruptive and dangerous these ants can be and the importance of working together to fight this pest.”

The state government has also added a further $37.5 million in funding to its eradication program, a figure that fire ant program whistleblower Dr Pam Swepson said could lead to “wasted money”.

Whistleblower Dr Pam Swepson says the state has failed to stop fire ants.

Dr Swepson said there was a failure in curbing the spread of fire ants in Redlands since their initial detection in 2002 and pointed out flaws in the now defunct 2017 to 2027 Fire Ant program, which struggled with budget overruns and inadequate treatment methods.

“There were infested sites in Wellington Point and Ormiston in 2002 and I’ve got Redlands marked in the Fire Ant Restricted Area as far back as 2012,” she said.

“It would be a waste of money to continue an unscientific eradication program which has failed for 20 years.

“A tight containment program with movement controls is what is required.

“No money has been invested in controlling movement of fire ant-infested materials to clean areas.”

Queensland is the only state in Australia that has a current active fire ant infestation, according to the latest data from the National Fire Ant Eradication program.

The fire ant infestation in Redlands and bayside suburbs raced ahead in 2022 after the program was scaled back.

Construction works at the Charlie Buckler fields at Redland Bay, where there has been an outbreak of the deadly fire ants. Picture: JUDITH KERR

LNP candidate for Redland Rebecca Young said the state had wasted millions on the fire ant eradication program and called for the exact amount the state had spent on the program.

Ms Young said it was a disgrace that there was still no effective data collection to accurately highlight hotspots and give taxpayers an idea of the extent of the problem.

“We don’t know how much the government has spent because, just like the lack of data, the state hasn’t been clear on the cost of the eradication measures,” she said.

“Regardless of the amount of money that has been blown on this to date, the problem has only worsened and the fire ants have now spread.

“This outbreak jeopardises the already struggling sporting field in Redlands, and puts at risk the hardworking volunteers who are striving to get the winter sports going in 2024.”

In mid-2023 the federal government and all state and territories unanimously endorsed a new fire ant plan, which aims to eradicate fire ants by 2032.

It focuses on strengthening containment and compliance, and intensifying program-led and community treatment.

In southeast Queensland, the fire ant eradication treatment area forms a horseshoe shape around the infested areas of Moreton Bay in the north, west to the Lockyer Valley, and south to the Gold Coast near the New South Wales border.

Biosecurity Queensland said as the fire ants were cleared from areas in the eradication zone, the treatment sites would move inland.

Fire ants have spread from Queensland south and were recently found at Charlie Buckler playing fields in Redland Bay. Picture: Archives

■ Residents and businesses owners in Redland were told to check properties for fire ants and report any sightings to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program at fireants.org.au or by calling 13 25 23.

■ Fire ants are copper brown in colour with a darker abdomen and are about 2mm – 6mm with nests usually found in open areas such as lawns, garden beds, near water sources, along roadsides and can appear as mounds or flat patches of loose soil with no obvious entry or exit holes.