The detection of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) at South Murwillumbah has seen a quick response from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) who have now started their next wave of operation in response.
Operation Victa is a biosecurity blitz involving NSW Police and NSW DPI officers who will be stopping heavy vehicles that are crossing the Queensland and NSW border as part of efforts to contain the movement of RIFA from Queensland into NSW.
‘This operation will ensure high-risk vehicles hauling potential fire ant-carrying materials south into NSW are complying with biosecurity requirements,’ said a DPI spokesperson this morning at Chinderah.
High-risk materials
All heavy vehicles transporting fire ant carrier materials from Queensland into New South Wales are required to complete a ‘Record of Movement declaration’ before departure.
High-risk materials include agricultural and earthmoving equipment, mulch, compost, hay, soil, turf, or potting mix.
‘For those transporting these materials from the known infestation zone in Queensland, carriers will also need to comply with cleaning requirements, and lodge a Biosecurity Certificate.’
NSW DPI, NSW Police and heavy vehicle compliance staff will be on-site at road locations to make sure the Biosecurity Emergency Order is being followed and ensure potential movement of this high-risk pest is minimised. This operation will be carried out at random locations and at random times. The operation will likely continue into 2024.
The Biosecurity Emergency Order outlines requirements for transporting material both from the Queensland-infested area into NSW and from the NSW control area in South Murwillumbah to any other location in NSW.
‘In partnership with the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and Tweed Valley Council, the NSW government has fully eradicated the recent infested site in South Murwillumbah, with no new infested premises detected in the surrounding control area,’ explained the spokesperson.
The NSW Government is urging businesses and residents in the Tweed Local Government Area to be on the lookout for fire ants and their mounds.
As part of the community awareness campaign, DPI with the Department of Education are informing school children in the north coast region about the dangers of fire ants. Fighting the Fire ant – as a citizen scientist is being delivered in both secondary schools and primary schools.
‘We all have a part to play in the effort to keep NSW fire ant free,’ said Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty.
‘We’re reminding all those transporting fire ant carrier materials from Queensland into NSW, or from the NSW control zone, to complete a Record of Movement declaration before departure.’
If you’re from a Queensland-known infested area, you’ll also need to lodge a Biosecurity form.
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