General News
3 June, 2024
SEQ business halted from trading
A business has ceased trading until further notice to stop further spread of fire ants following the detection of nests on the Oakey Army Aviation Centre grounds.
A spokesperson from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFEA) said that the program did not want to shut businesses down.
“Fire ant teams have been working tirelessly in the Oakey community since fire ants were detected in April 2024,” the spokesperson said.
“All fire ant nests were found on a single infected property.
“We have issued two biosecurity orders – one to the Oakey Army Aviation Centre and one to a Queensland-based business.”
The aviation centre is prohibited from transporting organic material from the site.
“We know that the fire ants found in Oakey are linked to the South East Queensland population but, investigations are ongoing to determine how they arrived in the area,” the spokesperson added.
On 20 May, Oakey was added to the fire ant biosecurity zones, spanning a 5 kilometre radius around the detection site.
The zones and associated movement controls apply to anyone handling or transporting materials that may carry fire ants.
Individuals and businesses can move materials if they use fire ant-safe practices, mitigating the risk of spreading fire ants.
Failing to prevent the spread is an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2014
Industry and community engagement is well under-way, with community meetings and displays being held across the local area.
Community meetings have taken place at the Cockburn Urban Landcare Centre and at the Oakey Cultural Centre.
NFEA stalls have been on-site outside the Council Service Centre on Campbell Street.
Initial communications have begun, and a larger awareness campaign will be delivered in the coming months.
“We will continue to work closely with council, industry, and community, to ensure Oakey remains free of fire ants,” the NFEA spokesperson said.
Dr Eric Donaldson, one of Oakey’s largest landholders, said he’s pleased the NFEA is acting swiftly.
“There’s tremendous goodwill for the program,” he said.
“I do think it would have caused less distress for some people if they had done letterbox drops before flying so low.
“It doesn’t bother me as I’ve been around planes and had been to all the meetings, but some people don’t have the time and got a shock.”
The Fire ant bait being dropped consists of small pieces of corn grit (about 1-3 mm) soaked in soybean oil and is not harmful to humans or most animals.
