Aussies fear losing their backyards as $2 billion threat breaches containment lines: 'Only going to get worse'

Yahoo

2 days ago

Australian residents impacted by an outbreak of one of the "world's worst" invasive species fear that we are heading towards a "disaster of national and epic proportions".
Fire ants currently infest around 850,000 hectares of Queensland land, and despite efforts to eradicate the invasive pest, there have been several breaches outside containment lines recorded across the country in recent weeks.
While there are several lines of defence in the nation's fire ant eradication program, those whose homes lie in the outbreak's suppression zone, the final zone in the plan, say they feel "abandoned" by authorities as proactive measures to stop the spread take priority.
Concerned local Ian Hession, who lives in Cedar Grove, 40km south of Brisbane, in a zone where fire ants are already established, told Yahoo News that neighbours in the area have been "kicked to the kerb" — with private landowners and local councils left to deal with existing outbreaks.
"It's only going to get worse," he said. Ian and his wife Al fear it won't be long before they won't be able to enjoy their own backyard due to the threat posed by the insect's venomous sting, renowned for causing painful pustules and serious allergic reactions or even life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
"You won't be able to wander out into your backyard, you'll be looking around to see if there are fire ants there, you have to think about your animals, I don't think people understand that," he said.
The National Fire Ant eradication program states that to ensure all fire ant nests are destroyed, officers are starting from the outside of the infested area and working their way in until the pest is gone for good.
In the meantime, the burden within the suppression zone falls largely on private landholders and the local councils to treat and eradicate nests in the area, which covers 650,000 hectares of land.
A spokesperson for the program explained to Yahoo that its task force partners with nine local councils, offering expert advice, equipment and treatment products to "support self-management on council land while awaiting eradication treatment".
But Ian, who described the reporting process as "cumbersome", argues that without a coordinated approach, councils and landowners are at odds with one another.
"You can treat your property, and drive out of your driveway, and the council strips are out of control," he explained.
Recent images taken by Ian of a stretch of road in Cedar Grove highlight the issue. This particular stretch of road requires cooperation between two separate council areas — Scenic Rim and Logan City — and private landowners, who are responsible for eradicating nests on their properties.
Several live nests are on both sides of a boundary line connecting council land and private property, despite online reports suggesting the case is closed.
"It's concerning that the job is getting closed off once it's treated, but there's nothing to confirm it's successfully treated," he said.
What's more, Ian says some landowners have known outbreaks, but "didn't do anything about it", while others are "tipping petrol" on fire ant nets to treat them.
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Councils call for more funding to fire ant treatment
A spokesperson for Scenic Rim Regional Council told Yahoo, "Council does not have authority over private land and, like the community, is responsible only for land and operations under its control".
Logan City Council called on the state and federal governments to increase funding for landowners and local governments in managing fire ant treatments across South East Queensland.
They added council is "meeting its legislative obligations" by self-funding a Red Imported Fire Ants Taskforce by "carrying out broad-scale suppression and reactive treatments to reported nests on Council land across the City of Logan". Meanwhile, landowners are required to manage fire ants on the land they own.
Invasive Species Council's Reece Pianta previously told Yahoo News eradicating fire ants "has to be" Australia's number one priority.
"It affects so many parts of our society. If we can't deal with this problem, I don't see how we can deal with any of the other thousands of invasive species facing our country," he warned.
"It's time for governments to understand this is a disaster. It's as bad for our country as any flood, fire or pandemic. This is an emergency, and we are trying to deal with this problem with half measures, slow decision-making, and underfunding. It's time to get serious."
Residents in fire ant zone urged to 'report' nests
"The National Fire Ant Eradication Program urges all residents to report suspect fire ants and nests — even in previously treated areas — to help monitor fire ant activity," a spokesperson from the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce told Yahoo News.
They added those in the suppression area can access free treatment products and tools for their property, and the self-treatment model will soon be strengthened by aerial suppression treatment funded with an additional $24 million from the Queensland Government.
"Eradicating fire ants is a shared responsibility," it said, urging residents to:
learn how to identify fire ants and nests
check their properties and local area for fire ants
report their findings online or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) — suspect ant reports should be made within 24 hours.
Visit fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) for more information.
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