Queensland has taken an important step in showing the rest of Australia what biosecurity should look like. In central Queensland, they’re now perceiving fire ants for the first time and have recently established biosecurity zones in the region. The detection was from Broadmeadow Mine, also near Moranbah, more than 150 kilometres as the crow flies inland from Mackay. This is a troubling expansion of the invasive species. Native to South America, it poses catastrophic ecological and economic harm.
The establishment of fire ants outside of south-east Queensland is alarming local governments and councils. Equally alarmed at this unwelcome intrusion are community members. Biosecurity zones have been established as a proactive approach to prevent further spread by limiting the movement of materials outside the impacted areas. These zones are the result of months of work following this initial detection and are meant to stop the spread of this invasive species.
Containment Measures and Response
Enforcement agencies have moved quickly to address illegal encampments. The movement of such materials has now been limited. This includes things like soil, hay, mulch, and turf products that could potentially have fire ants in them.
That’s a question for Robbie Wilson, their director of operations, who said they’ve tagged just about all the movement in that area. He said that the crisis was now under control. Those proactive measures extend to actively destroying nests, preventing the possibility of future infestations. This quick response was facilitated by a focused, coordinated effort to tackle the outbreak head-on.
Moreover, biosecurity zones in south-east Queensland have widened, including an extra five-kilometre radius surrounding previously-established detection sites. This extended rule is intended to more broadly prevent the movement of materials that may promote the spread of fire ants.
Community Concerns and Expert Insights
Fire ants have since been found at five of these mine sites throughout Queensland. In turn, community advocacy organizations like the Coalition to Respect Asian Life have urged more funding to improve eradication plans. Reece Pianta, advocacy manager for local organization Marylanders for Transportation Mobility, stated the need to slow down is acute on the ground.
“We’ve had a concern for a while about the resourcing levels that have been allocated to fire ant control,” Pianta said. He acknowledged recent improvements but stressed the need for sustained efforts. “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.”
Pianta similarly cautioned against the long-term consequences of failing to control fire ants. “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,” he explained. Third on the list of the world’s worst invasive species, fire ants are an invasive threat that endangers people and the environment and needs immediate action.
Prioritizing Safety and Eradication Efforts
Protecting the safety of our workers as well as residents is always first priority in this important and ongoing fight against fire ants. BMA’s commitment A BMA spokesperson insisted that “Keeping our crew and the community safe is of utmost importance to us. They have committed to continuing to work in partnership and coordination with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. Jointly, they will put into action successful containment, treatment and eradication measures.
The spokesperson further elaborated on restrictions placed on materials: “Anything that would house or potentially house fire ants, restrictions are placed on those materials.” This should involve proactive, comprehensive monitoring and management practices focused on protecting public health and surrounding ecosystems.
