Spit fire: Dangerous ants in migration south reach the Gold Coast’s best beach spots

Some of the Gold Coast’s most famous beaches may be forced to close after a devastating discovery in a prominent park signals environmental disaster.

City leaders are calling for urgent intervention on fire ants with the discovery of the dangerous pests at The Spit threatening beaches and tourist attractions.

Both Southport-based councillor Brooke Patterson and council lifestyle committee chair Hermann Vorster have called for more transparency and action by the state and federal governments warning the arrival of the “super pests” at The Spit is the biggest threat facing the city.

Their warnings come as a National Fire Ant Eradication Program spokesman revealed details to the Bulletin about the investigation of The Spit.

“In relation to the Spit, two nests in Philip Park were reported by a member of the public on May 15 and the nests were treated on May 17,” the spokesman said.

Fire ants have been detected at Philip park on The spit near federal walk. Picture Glenn Hampson

“Fire ants are attracted to disturbed soil and can be transported through the human-assisted movement of organic materials. An investigation is continuing into whether recent works at Philip Park have contributed to fire ants spreading to this location.

“The highest priority is given to nests found in locations posing the highest risk to the public, such as parks and schools.”

Of specific concern to the city is the potential impact of the dreaded ants, which would forced the closure of The Spit’s beachfront and Federation Walk.

“This sighting is dangerously close to the beach and only a short distance to Surfers Paradise, the world famous beach that underpins our international marketing,” Cr Vorster said.

“The state government admits fire ants risks closing our beaches, which means this sighting should be ringing alarm bells.”

Since 2021, Gold Coast City Council has backed spending almost $1 million on creating a new tourist attraction which would see $2.6 million in funding from the state government to create 35ha of rainforest at The Spit’s northern end.

Federation Walk volunteers were shocked when told on Tuesday about the ants, unaware of the threat.

A City Hall source said: “What’s the point of building a littoral rainforest, a green oasis, when you can’t venture into it safely.”

The latest mapping, as of June 2023, showing the spread of fire ants to the Gold Coast.

Cr Patterson in a letter to the Bulletin spoke of “the shocking news” about the reach of the southern migration of the pest including the Glitter Strip.

“What Biosecurity Queensland have been quiet about to date, is the extent to which these ants are already lying in wait across the Gold Coast,” Cr Patterson said.

“We now know fire ants have been found at Sea World, South Stradbroke, our parks, our schools, Miami, Mermaid, Burleigh, all through the hinterland, the northern Gold Coast cane farms, many rural and residential homes and of course, across our sporting fields.

“It is shocking news, but there is a small opportunity we have right now that we cannot afford to squander – winter.

“A Queen fire ant lays 800 eggs per day but she needs warm temperatures to do it. If we could get some serious action from BQ over the next 60 days, we might just be ready to fend off a fire ant population explosion come summer.”

Fire ants are heading south on the Gold Coast, and city councillors continue to voice their concerns saying the future scenario is terrifying.

Cr Patterson wants the Department to engage ten “direct nest injection operators”.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program spokesman said Cr Patterson’s claims about the national program were not correct.

“The eradication program is not a failure – it is the most successful fire ant eradication program in the world,” the spokesman said.

“The most recent review of the program showed eradication of fire ants is still possible because the program has restricted spread to southeast Queensland.

“Modelling has shown that without the work of the program fire ants would have spread in an arc from Bowen in the north, west to Longreach and south to Canberra.

“The review also found that the cost of not having the program in place could reach $2 billion every year, forever, with impacts on health, industry and lifestyle as well as the economy.”

The spokesman said Cr Patterson’s claims about program staff were also incorrect.

“The vast majority of program staff are directly involved in frontline detection, surveillance and treatment work, including on the Gold Coast,” the spokesman said.

“Everyone has a general biosecurity obligation to manage biosecurity risks on land they own or manage. This includes Gold Coast Council.”

Aerial photograph from The Spit Masterplan report of the northern end of the central park.

Cr Vorster, who has been an outspoken campaigner on ridding the city of fire ants, has sought daily updates along with more transparency from the state.

The Bulletin in May exclusively revealed the fire ant nests had reached Miami State Primary School, near Pizzey Park, after parents had informed area councillor Pauline Young.

Cr Vorster is calling for real time reporting. He fears beaches may be closed in future.

“If we do not see a dramatic increase in resourcing and a change of approach, it is clear the state government is willing to play Russian roulette with the Gold Coast lifestyle,” he said.

“The state boast about their Spit Master Plan but now they may need a Spit Disaster Plan to deal with their mess.”

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. Their stings can be fatal in rare circumstances.