A new $24 million program is expected to help South-East Queenslanders in their fight against fire ants.
State government funding to the state’s Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce will deliver aerial treatments on large blocks across the region.
They will be activated across 212,000 hectares within the suppression zone in and around Brisbane during the next two years. The zone does not include the Sunshine Coast.
It could reduce ant density in hard-to-treat colonies by as much as 80 per cent.
Eligible properties of 10 hectares or greater that are infested with fire ants can be treated by drone or helicopter at no cost to the landholder.
Related story: Fire ants extend reach on Sunshine Coast
An additional 12 contractors will support the investment.
Fire ants can have devastating impacts on the economy, environment, health and outdoor way of life.
If left untreated, they can destroy crops, gardens and parks and endanger humans, wildlife, animals and pets.
A cost-benefit analysis conducted by Central Queensland University in 2021 found that an uncontrolled spread of fire ants over the next 15 years would result in agricultural impacts costing $1 billion a year.
Fire ant treatment is safe for people, pets and the environment when used as directed by independent scientific body the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said there was a concerted push to contain them.
“We’re hitting fire ants hard in the suppression zone, doubling down on suppression efforts to deal with this destructive pest before it impacts more Queenslanders,” he said.
“Fire ants have run rampant in other countries, stopping sports, cancelling barbecues, closing beaches and severely impacting outdoor lifestyle.
“By working with other states and the Commonwealth, we will fight back against the out-of-control spread of fire ants … I am very confident we will be able to prevent a fully fledged invasion.”
The work to eradicate fire ants involves two organisations taking two different approaches but working together.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is working on the outer edges of the eradication treatment zone, including the Sunshine Coast, to wipe out ant colonies and stop them spreading. As land in the eradication treatment zone is declared free of fire ants, the border will contract inwards until no fire ants remain. The program is funded by all Australian state and territory governments, and the federal government.
The Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce works on the area inside the eradication treatment zone, to reduce the number and density of colonies. Treatment in this area is largely conducted by the community with support from the taskforce. The taskforce is funded by the state government and is the beneficiary of the funding in this announcement.
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