Fire ant fighters clock up the kilometres
Published on 05 March 2026
Some 671 kilometres of roadways across the Scenic Rim were treated for fire ants in an intensive effort over three-and-a-half days during February.
As well as treating all Department of Transport and Main Roads corridors in the fire ant suppression area, Council and the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce blitzed local roads around turf farms in the Wonglepong, Boyland, Biddaddaba, Allenview and Bromelton areas and a new development near Canungra that was previously heavily infested with fire ants.
Mayor Tom Sharp said it was encouraging that, throughout the areas treated, only a very small number of nests were observed.
"Roadside treatment is essential to stopping the spread of fire ants and protecting our natural environment as well as our valuable industries of tourism and agriculture," he said.
Since July 2024, Council has treated thousands of kilometres of roads across the Scenic Rim to tackle one of South East Queensland's most destructive pests.
This latest work builds on Council’s fire ant suppression activities which, last year, saw Council's biosecurity team praised for its efforts at a meeting of the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST) in Brisbane.
Fire ants are dark red, aggressive, adaptive and capable of inflicting painful stings to people, pets, wildlife and livestock.
Left unmanaged, they can render areas unusable for farming, recreation and everyday living.
"The support our Council receives from FAST and the National Fire Ant Eradication Program NFAEP is invaluable to our efforts in helping to protect the community and control fire ants," Cr Sharp said.
"Council's treatment program is very much a partnership and members of the community also have a role to play in stopping the spread of fire ants."
Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, everyone is responsible for reporting and managing fire ant nests on their properties and members of the community are urged to report any suspected sightings within 24 hours to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 132 ANT (13 22 68).
More information about fire ants and treatment efforts is available at https://invasives.org.au/blog/8-facts-every-australian-should-know-about-fire-ants/
Members of Council's biosecurity team aim to hit the road again with the blower truck in May 2026 to undertake a second round of treatment on the main roads corridor.
“Council will continue to treat all suitable local roads across our region, using data collection and performance monitoring to ensure we’re protecting our community, our economy, and our agricultural industries," Cr Sharp said.