Fire ants NSW: Wardell finding prompts stark warnings as invasive insect moves further south into NSW

An urgent meeting has now been called as fire ants continue their incursion into the state’s north, threatening the closure of public spaces, billion-dollar economic losses – and extremely painful stings.

If the current rate of the fire ant incursion into northern New South Wales continues, Sydney could be hit by Spring, threatening citizens with more than just closures of public spaces.

To put that in perspective, leading Southern Cross University entomologist Nigel Andrew said ultimately the state could see restrictions that feel eerily similar to Covid-19 lockdowns.

“While you may be able to leave, your whole way of life will be impacted,” he said.

The ants could also cost our economy two billion annually and cut agricultural output by up to 40 per cent, Nationals Leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said.

Fire ants “rafting” on the northern Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied.

In November last year, five nests were found at a council-owned industrial estate in South Murwillumbah. Come Friday, the deadly insects were found some 83km south at Wardell, past Ballina.

A gardener was attacked at the Wardell site, his skin erupting in extremely painful blisters.

By Tuesday, more than 100 people had visited a state government run pop-up centre in Wardell for face-to-face briefings and information.

The government is also holding a meeting for businesses and residents at the Wardell and District War Memorial Hall from 5:30pm on Wednesday.

Members of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program carefully inspect a site in South Murwillumbah for any sign of red imported fire ants. Picture: supplied.

It is still unclear how the ants made it as far as Wardell after the nests at Murwillumbah were eradicated by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

At the weekend, incident response teams from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and NSW DPI teams swarmed the Wardell site to destroy the nest with liquid insecticide, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said.

Teams continued to monitor the site, conduct genetic analysis, and they have made contact with landscaping suppliers who may have delivered products to the site.

Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and are from two to six millimetres long. Residents and businesses should report any sign of fire ants to the NSW DPI on 1800 680 244.

Authorities have been scrambling to ascertain how the ants were transported and how long they have been nesting.

A 5km exclusion zone has been set up, limiting movement and transport of known ant-carrying materials.

It comes after the DPI launched a roadside blitz late last year to check motorists carrying problem materials such as hay, mulch, soil and other agricultural products.

Mr Andrew told NewsLocal the fire ants needed to be eradicated “or they will just keep spreading”.

“Invasive species don’t recognise borders. We need to get on top of the main problem, which is in South East Queensland,” he said.

Mr Andrew commended the work of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and the NSW DPI, saying “they are doing a fantastic job but they need more funding”.

“The reality is that federal and state governments need to add an extra 0 to the current funding,” he said.

“According to a government-led study, we need to invest $200-$300 million per year for the next ten years to eradicate them completely. If we don’t, we are looking at a $2 billion per year problem.”

Mr Andrew said if the ants spread as far south as Sydney, the results would be “catastrophic”.

The impacts of another fire ant outbreak in Sydney could have devastating effects. Picture: Taras Vyshnya / Alamy Stock Photos.

“Imagine an outbreak at Homebush Stadium or the centre of Sydney. Every person’s life would be impacted,” he said.

“There would be a huge restriction of not only people’s movement in public spaces but movement of building and agricultural products into the state.”

“We could see similar restrictions to a pandemic lockdown.

“The consequences of not getting on top of this are massive.”

Southern Cross University Professor Nigel Andrew. Picture: Supplied.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud said the federal government’s response came “too little, too late”.

“The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program strategic review … estimated that at least $200 to $300 million per year was required,” he said.

“Labor’s funding was needed urgently in 2023, which put the time-critical response at risk.”

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson said the Minns Labor Government needed to get “deadly serious”.

Mr Williamson said his view was the response from the Premier and the Primary Industries Minister since the ants were first detected near the border was “inadequate”.

Operation Victa was established late last year to stop the further spread of fire ants into northern NSW. Picture: Supplied/NSW Department of Primary Industries

But Minister Moriarty said the contribution to the National Fire Ant Eradication program was increased from $15 million under the former National Liberal NSW Government to $95 million under the Minns Labor Government “when we realised how poorly they had resourced this program”.

Breaching the emergency biosecurity order carries penalties of up to $1.1 million for an individual and $2.2 million for a corporation.

Northern NSW residents have been urged to keep an eye out for fire ants.

Report suspected fire ants to the NSW Biosecurity Hotline on 1800 680 244 or online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants