On 17 January 2025, a member of the public reported suspect fire ant nests at a housing development site in North Arm, Sunshine Coast.
The nests were swiftly destroyed with liquid insecticide the same day, and broadscale treatment and surveillance activities are now underway.
The Invasive Species Council has called for urgent action, warning that fire ant containment efforts are severely underfunded, risking the pests’ spread across Australia.
Fire ants, one of the world’s most destructive invasive species, pose a grave threat to Australia’s economy, environment, and public safety.
Known for their painful stings and ability to disrupt ecosystems, unchecked fire ants could cause $2 billion annually in economic damage, devastate agriculture, and increase medical visits by over 650,000 each year.
Reece Pianta, Advocacy Manager for the Invasive Species Council, highlighted the seriousness of the outbreak:
“Fire ants recently made their way into northern NSW through a simple turf delivery and now fresh nests have been reported on a construction site – it’s a chilling reminder of how effortlessly these tiny killers can invade new areas.”
Pianta emphasised that containment breaches could jeopardise eradication efforts: “Fire ants are one of the world’s worst super pests, and their unchecked spread will result in economic damage greater than that caused by cane toads, rabbits, feral cats, and foxes combined.”
The discovery in North Arm underscores the Sunshine Coast’s vulnerability to fire ant infestations.
Residents highlight communities’ vital role in reporting nests, yet recurring outbreaks drain resources from the main eradication program.
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$37.5 million: Funding allocated to councils over four years for fire ant suppression efforts – deemed insufficient to address the scale of the threat.
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$200-$300 million per year: Funding required to achieve eradication by 2032, according to a 2021 strategic review.
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$2 billion annually: Expected economic impact if fire ants spread across Australia, including reduced agricultural output and increased healthcare costs.
The nests at North Arm were identified and destroyed promptly, demonstrating the value of public vigilance in the fight against fire ants.
However, the incident reveals gaps in containment strategies and highlights the need for increased funding to prevent future outbreaks.
Pianta stressed the urgency of the situation: “An increase in funding now could save Australia billions in fire ant costs each year, not to mention the immeasurable cost to our environment, wildlife, and lifestyles.”
Fire ants, native to South America, were first detected in Australia in 2001 after arriving via freight from the United States.
Globally, they have spread across the southern United States and China, advancing at rates of up to 80 km per year.
Despite 20 years of containment efforts in southeast Queensland, underfunding has stalled eradication, leaving much of Australia climatically suitable for infestation.
Pianta called on leaders for decisive action:
“We also call on Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese to commit to an urgent fire ant surge and long-term funding. This isn’t just an election issue for Queenslanders – fire ants can spread to all parts of Australia if eradication fails.”
What to look for next?
Here are further updates on surveillance efforts at North Arm and surrounding areas. Calls for increased funding and political commitment to the eradication program will likely intensify as pressure mounts to prevent future outbreaks.
