The Queensland Government is boosting the war against fire ants after the invasive pests spread to more than 700,000 ha over 10 years.
The Government announced today that it would spend an extra $24 million to boost Queensland’s Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce, bringing the total funding to $61 million.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the program was aimed at hitting fire ants hard in the suppression zone before they impacted more Queenslanders.
“Fire ants have run rampant in other countries, stopping sports, cancelling BBQs, closing beaches and severely impacting outdoor lifestyle,” he said
The upgraded treatments will be activated across 212,000 hectares within South-East Queensland’s suppression zone over the next two years.
Eligible properties of 10 hectares or greater infested with fire ants in the suppression area can be treated by drone or helicopter at no cost to the landholder.
An additional 12 contractors will support the investment.
“Fire ants can have devastating impacts on the economy, environment, health and outdoor way of life,” the Government said in a statement.
“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.”
The aerial suppression area map is available here.
