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Tweed Shire Council is working closely with NSW and Federal government authorities after red imported fire ants were identified in South Murwillumbah – the first positive detection of the pests in the Tweed Shire.
The fire ant infestation was detected on a vacant block in the new industrial estate at Quarry Road, South Murwillumbah and reported yesterday to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program hotline, who have since positively identified the species.
Owned by Tweed Shire Council, the vacant block is being developed as an industrial land sub-division, with all earthworks and landscaping sub-contracted as part of the approved development application.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said Council was following the direction of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, supported by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), who are the lead agencies in the fight against red imported fire ants.
“We were very grateful to see such a swift response from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program inspectors and NSW DPI staff on the ground today – within hours of the fire ants being reported and identified – who carefully swept the area to see if they could detect any additional fire ant activity,” Cr Cherry said.
“Council’s pest management officers were also onsite assisting the DPI as required, with eradication treatment undertaken.
“It is fortunate the block is owned by Council as it means eradication measures and follow-up controls can be carried out immediately. We will do everything we can to control the pests.”
Under the direction of the lead agencies, Council will help to enforce any rules around fire ant detection and eradication in the Tweed, including notification of surrounding businesses.
The NSW DPI is leading the control, tracing, and communications by implementing an emergency biosecurity order across a radius of 5 km from the site in South Murwillumbah.
All businesses and residents within that radius are restricted in how they can move potential fire ant carrier materials without permission. The following types of materials are restricted: mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products.
Tweed Shire Council has been working closely with the NSW DPI since fire ants were detected at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast, close to the NSW-Queensland border, earlier this year.
For more information about red imported fire ants, visit the NSW DPI website.
Anyone who suspects fire ants on their property is urged not to disturb the nest but to report the activity to the NSW DPI by calling 1800 680 244 or visiting dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/forms/report-exotic-ants.
More detail on the National Fire Ant Eradication Program can be found online at www.fireants.org.au.
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