Biosecurity zones have been introduced to parts of central Queensland months after fire ants were detected outside the state’s south-east.<\/p>\n
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has included five sites in the Bowen Basin that have been impacted by the invasive species.<\/p>\n
Director of operations, Robbie Wilson, said the zones limited which materials businesses could transport as a “preventative measure”.<\/p>\n
“Particularly things like soil, hay, mulch [and] turf products,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Anything that would house or potentially house fire ants, restrictions are placed on those materials.<\/p>\n
“There’s been a number of detections in central Queensland and as a result of that we’ve now instigated biosecurity zones on those areas.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fire ants were detected in central Queensland for the first time in recent months. (Supplied: Invasive Species Council)<\/p>\n
Each of the sites identified in central Queensland has been on mining land.<\/p>\n
“In that coal mining area, coal is the predominant product that’s being produced and moved off site,” Mr Wilson said.<\/p>\n
“However, through discussions and working with the mines, we know coal \u2026 is washed and treated on site and that’s a mitigation method to reduce the likelihood of any fire ants in the coal moving off site.”<\/p>\n
Biosecurity zones in south-east Queensland have expanded, including an additional 5-kilometre radius beyond known detection sites.<\/p>\n
Calls for more funding<\/p>\n
The Invasive Species Council said the zones were a necessity.<\/p>\n
Despite being pleased with current responses to outbreaks, advocacy manager Reece Pianta wanted to see more funding assigned to eradicate the species.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had a concern for a while about the resourcing levels that have been allocated to fire ant control, but in the last few years there has been a significant escalation in the number of people and the amount of equipment that’s being deployed to fire ants and the response has been rapid,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We want to see that continue and make sure there are resources in other places to eventually eradicate them.”<\/p>\n
Fire ants carry a painful sting and have been problematic abroad.<\/p>\n
“They’ve been in the United States now for several generations, and they’ve really caused a lot of problems over there to the economy, to people’s way of life, and to the environment they impact,” Mr Pianta said.<\/p>\n
“This is one of the worst invasive species.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fire ants are originally from South America. (Supplied: Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries)<\/p>\n
Mr Pianta said residents should not be concerned about the expansion of biosecurity zones.<\/p>\n
“We want the community to not be alarmed by that but to understand this is part of keeping them safe from the impacts of fire ants and protecting our country,” he said.<\/p>\n
Detections ‘contained’<\/p>\n
The species was first detected in central Queensland at Broadmeadow Mine near Moranbah, more than 150 kilometres inland from Mackay.<\/a><\/p>\n