To stop the southwards march of red fire ants, materials from infested areas in NSW and Queensland will be restricted from entering the ACT, environment minister Rebecca Vassarotti announced.

Red fire ants are one of the worst invasive species to reach Australia, the Federal Government states, causing extensive damage to ecology and agriculture. The Invasive Species Council warns that “their stings can kill people and livestock”, and that “they can wipe out entire native ecosystems” – and nearly the whole continent is vulnerable to them.

In December, the ACT Government contributed $5 million to a national plan to eradicate the species.

“Today I am taking another step to protect the bush capital from these invasive ants,” Ms Vassarotti said.

Import restrictions will be applied under the Plant Diseases Act 2002 to potential carriers of fire ants: organic mulch, soil and anything with soil on it, baled material like hay, potted plants, turf, agriculture or earth moving machinery, and mining and quarrying materials. 

The restriction applies to a 5-kilometre radius of the fire ant nests recently found in South Murwillumbah and Wardell in north-eastern NSW. It also applies to areas in south-east Queensland declared as fire ant biosecurity zones including Redcliffe, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Gatton. 

Importers of these materials from affected areas will need to use heat treatment, or apply an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority-approved chemical for the control of fire ants, and provide a plant health certificate. 

“Protecting our environment and community from the damage fire ants can cause is a top biosecurity concern,” Ms Vassarotti said. “I want to assure the community that we are taking swift and decisive action to protect the territory.” 

The restrictions will be reviewed as the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and NSW Department of Primary Industries eradicate fire ants in their respective states. 

Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, Ms Vassarotti said. The public should: 

• Check the measures that must be implemented before entering the ACT with hay, turf, soil, mulch, potted plants or machinery from NSW and Queensland. 
• Be on the lookout for unknown plant and animal species – for assistance identifying an ant, call 02 6258 5551. 
• If you think you have seen fire ants or their nests, do not disturb or touch them. Contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81 during business hours.  

Read about the ACT import restrictions on the ACT Legislation Register, or learn more about red imported fire ants on the ACT Environment website. 

Information for businesses and industries, including a free fire ant compliance tool, is available at fireants.org.au.