The NSW government has confirmed the detection of a fire ant nest in the northern part of the state, raising concerns about what conservationists have called a possible "national biosecurity emergency".
An "immature" nest has been found and destroyed on a property in Tweed Heads, according to the state's agricultural ministry.
"The NSW fire ants' systems and response plan are in action, and the resources required for each phase of activity are on the ground today and over the coming days," NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said.
"An investigation was immediately commenced following the report of suspected fire ants and the discovery of an immature nest led to its destruction."
NSW chief invasive species officer Scott Charlton said: "The fact that the nest was immature, or non-productive, is reassuring."
What's next?
The state government has now sent a team to investigate a 500-metre area surrounding the destroyed nest to check for any other fire ant activity.
At the same time, a new Biosecurity Emergency Control order will be issued to control the movement of high-risk materials within 5km of the site.
Authorities have also started a genetic analysis of the fire ants to determine the source of the southward expansion.
Meanwhile, NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders levelled blame at the state government.
"[The] Labor government has had multiple opportunities to protect our state from this harmful super pest, but it has failed at every hurdle," he said.
He also raised concerns about the possibility of the ants making "their way deeper into NSW as a result of recent storm and flood events".
The last time fire ants were detected in NSW was in November 2024, at a property at Eureka, near Byron Bay.
'Biosecurity emergency unfolding'
A potential spread of fire ants across Australia is a serious threat to people, animals, the environment, and the economy, experts have said.
Fire ants are highly aggressive, swarming in large groups to attack anything that disturbs their nest, and use a venomous sting to kill their prey.
Invasive Species Council advocacy manager Reece Pianta said: "If fire ants escape the current containment zone, they will spread across the country, devastating agriculture, threatening public health, and damaging our wildlife and way of life."
He warned that, with the new detection in Tweed Heads, "a national biosecurity emergency [is] unfolding right in front of us".
NSW Farmers' biosecurity committee chair Tony Hegarty has also called on the state government to ensure every resource is available to destroy the ants.
"The NSW Government needs to get real on border biosecurity and properly vet high-risk materials coming into our borders, or else these ants are only going to keep marching on until it's all too late,” he said.
