Operation Five Valleys launched in northern NSW in bid to halt fire ant invasion from Queensland

NSW is ramping up the battle against aggressive red fire ants in the north of the state to stop the dangerous pests spreading from Queensland this festive season.

The NSW government is ramping up the battle against aggressive red imported fire ants in the north of the state to stop the dangerous pests spreading from Queensland this festive season.

It comes after the ants – which have the potential to infest and shut public areas – travelled in turf delivered from southeast Queensland and were found in the region earlier this month.

The discovery marked the fourth time fire ants had been reported in northern NSW since late 2023.

A red imported fire ant. Report sightings to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program on phoning 132 ANT (13 22 68) or NSW DPI on 1800 680 244. Picture: Supplied

NSW is desperately trying to prevent the spread of the ants from Queensland – and infestations have been flagged near turf farms in the northern state, alarming the Invasive Species Council.

Operation Five Valleys has been launched to prevent the spread of red imported fire ants in northern NSW.

The NSW government has put an emergency control order in place to stop the movement of turf from areas in Queensland impacted by the ants.

Leading entomologist Professor Nigel Andrew, of Southern Cross University, has warned: “This is a species that needs to be removed, or the consequences could be dire”.

The ants swarm and can cause serious allergic reactions. Picture: University of Georgia

“We haven’t seen an invasive species like fire ants come to Australia. We can’t compare this to cane toads, varroa mite or rabbits,” he said.

Now, surveillance and response efforts have been ramped up in the Kyogle region to protect northern NSW.

Specialised teams of humans and sniffer dogs will be monitoring high-risk sites near Cougal, Findon Creek, Lindesay Creek, Dairy Flat and Sawpit Creek.

Operation Five Valleys, spearheaded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), was launched this week in potential hot spots.

Sites have been identified as ideal “sentinel” areas to safeguard against the spread of ants, particularly from near Rathdowney Queensland, just 11km from the border.

Turf laid in northern NSW contained invasive fire ants. Picture: Supplied

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said on Monday the current Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order, which includes the suspension of turf delivery from infested areas, had been extended to February 15

She said it provided clearer guidance and improved safeguards for all stakeholders involved in the movement of materials which could contain fire ants.

Detection dogs are being used to track the invasive pests. Picture: Supplied

Ms Moriarty said the pest would not march or float into NSW, but could be carried in soil, mulch, hay, turf and other material – or just fly into the southern state.

Those who breach the biosecurity orders can be hit with penalties of up to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.

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