Fire Ant Eradication Program issues warning after 60 tonnes of soil illegally moved near Queensland, New South Wales border

Three Gold Coast sports fields have been named as the front line of a new “proactive” approach to eradicating fire ants across the city - with households in select suburbs able to sign up to tackle the pest at home.

DEVELOPERS and builders on the Gold Coast have been given a stern warning after 60 tonnes of soil were illegally moved outside a fire ant biosecurity zone.

The breach occurred last month near the Queensland-New South Wales border, with the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program claiming it potentially jeopardised their efforts.

The company involved was fined more than $4500.

Fire ants, which are native to South America and first discovered in Brisbane in 2001, are considered one of the world’s worst invasive species because of their rapid spread.

They are highly aggressive and will swarm anything which disturbs their nests.

National Program general manager Graeme Dudgeon said the biosecurity zones were in place for a reason, and urged people to take them seriously.

“If you own a business and are moving materials, or you live in a residential area and you have gravel or turf delivered, it’s your responsibility to know where it’s come from,” he said.

“Biosecurity zones are there to help stop the spread of fire ants and we need both industry and the community to comply with them.”

Businesses and individuals who illegally move soil, turf, pot plants, hay and other materials that may contain fire ants can be hit with a fine of up to $5000.

GOLD COAST SPORTS FIELDS NEW FRONT LINE OF FIRE ANT DEFENCE

THREE Gold Coast sports fields have been named as the front line of a new “proactive” approach to eradicating fire ants across the city.

Zipfs Park in Alberton, Coomera Sports Park in Coomera and Brien Harris Oval in Ormeau have been identified by the National Fire Ant Eradication Program as the pilot locations for a new strategy to begin this month.

Households in fire ant zones Arundel, Parkwood, Pacific Pines and Maudsland can also register to have their property treated or receive free fire ant bait as part of a second pilot project.

A Bulletin investigation in December revealed almost half the city was at risk from fire ants, with 41 suburbs included in the biosecurity zone.

POISONOUS FIRE ANTS SPREAD ACROSS COAST’S NORTH

A report to council on Tuesday said fire ant nests had been identified on 69 sites across 17 suburbs in the last half of 2020.

Robina councillor Hermann Vorster told the meeting fire ants remained a “massive threat” to the city.

“Because how can we support a growing population if we have to lock people out of sports fields and open space,” he said.

Fire ants are advancing across the city.

“While we don’t want to be in this space and we recognise this is a State Government responsibility, I want to thank council officers for taking a pragmatic approach.

“Ultimately I’m convinced the trajectory (of fire ant invasion) on the Gold Coast is correct.”

It’s unclear how much the project will cost the city.

Councillors in a committee meeting on Tuesday voted for the CEO to write to the Agriculture Minister to request they be removed from a rabbit eradication program to free up $127,487 a year for fire ant treatment.

FIRE ANTS: NESTS FOUND AT RUNAWAY BAY SOCCER FIELD

The sports field program will be completed by June. The community plan will begin in May, with a second treatment in September.

Selected areas will be treated with bait containing “insect growth regulator” - a chemical which disrupts how insects grow and reproduce.

The same bait will be spread across “large areas containing multiple lots and property owners”.

The new projects follow concerns the pest could spread “beyond repair” by 2024 if no eradication attempts were made.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 FOR FIRST 28 DAYS

Biosecurity Queensland confirmed in December there were no eradication attempts underway on the Gold Coast despite the large percentage of the city at risk.

Program general manager Graeme Dudgeon said the ants could have “devastating” consequences on the environment, economy and way of life.

“Queenslanders have told us they are keen to help get rid of this pest and through this pilot we are encouraging a whole-of-community response,” he said.

“At-home treatment has worked with great success in places such as the United States and we are confident Queenslanders will embrace it too.”