Fire ants Gold Coast: $268m funding boost to fight super pets ‘must be the beginning’

A $268m federal fill-up into the fight against fire ants should just be the first step an invasive species group has warned, saying Canberra needs to be working on more funding.

A $268m federal fill-up into the fight against fire ants should just be the first step an invasive species group has warned, saying Canberra needs to be working on more funding.

The four years worth of federal funds were committed over the weekend and will be used to “ring-fence” southeast Queensland to contain and eradicate the dangerous creatures.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was critical to eliminate the “super pest”.

“If they aren’t eliminated, these ants will quickly migrate across the country and that would cause economic, health and social impacts in excess of $1.25bn annually, forever,” he said.

However the funds fall far short of the $600m needed to completely rid the region of fire ants, according to a ­Queensland Audit Office ­report.

Fire ants.

Invasive Species Council conservation officer Reece Pianta said the funds would mean “work can now ramp up on the ground to stop fire ants spreading”.

“Eradication will take at least a decade and so while this four-year funding announcement is very welcome, work should start immediately on developing the next funding package so that we do not have any more delays,” he said.

“We also know that the government’s own recent review recommended a higher level of funding than what has been committed to achieve eradication. If, as we suspect, the funds are insufficient, then there needs to be a clear pathway to quickly get new funds into the program.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates Picture: Glenn Campbell

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said the funding was “fantastic news”.

“This is a battle we must win, for the social and economic future of our city,” she said.

“These funds underscore that the strategy is about eradication, not containment.

“My message to every Gold Coaster is: know what’s in your backyard, because community education is vital and we have seen in places like Gladstone, that eradication is possible. I urge every resident and business to know how to identify fire ants and how to act.

“Home treatment kits are part of the solution and we all need to play our part.”

However others are unconvinced, with Robina councillor Hermann Vorster arguing the funds would “not meet the challenge before us”.

Hermann Vorster at Burleigh beach.

“That’s because it is a fraction of what independent analysis says is required,” he said.

“If they don’t hit this problem hard, and do it now, this will be money and time wasted.

“Just this weekend my family discovered suspected fire ants at our home but the state say it will take up to 12 days to respond and, even then, it may be up to households to collect a sample and send it away for testing.”

The presence of the pests also near The Spit to the north has the city on high alert, with the potential to close down our beaches and various public facilities if the spread gets out of control.