What’s Happening?
The Queensland Government says fire ant populations have fallen sharply across treated areas in South East Queensland. Redland City is among the council areas included in the aerial suppression program.
The government has also committed more Budget funding to continue treatment during 2026-27. It says the work supports the wider goal of eradicating fire ants from Australia.
The program forms part of the government’s plan for Queensland’s economy, primary industries and local communities. The government has also linked the program with its broader response to previous containment failures.
Why It Matters
Fire ants pose a serious threat to Queensland’s environment, residents, animals and livestock. Their nests can spread across residential, rural and agricultural land.
If infestations remain untreated, annual losses to Australia’s agricultural industry could reach an estimated $381 million.
Fire ant suppression also supports Queensland’s wider biosecurity system. That system helps protect primary producers and keeps major agricultural industries operating.
Local Impact
Redland City is one of seven local government areas already receiving aerial fire ant treatment.
The treatment targets larger land parcels within heavily infested areas. It aims to reduce ant densities while supporting national eradication work.
Lower fire ant populations could reduce pressure on Redland City properties, animals and local environments. Continued community reporting will remain important during the treatment program.
By The Numbers
- 86% is the average fire ant population reduction recorded across some heavily infested, larger land parcels.
- More than 185,000 hectares have received aerial treatment across seven South East Queensland local government areas.
- $10.5 million has been committed through the 2026-27 Queensland Budget for further fire ant suppression work.
Zoom In
The Queensland Government linked the early results to its $24 million increase in aerial suppression funding.
It said the funding helped reduce fire ant populations in heavily infested locations. The government accused the former Labor government of inadequate funding and governance failures.
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the early results were extremely positive. He said the government would continue investing in treatments designed to stop further spread.
“There has been significant work into fire ant suppression after Labor’s decade of decline saw fire ant populations explode through governance failures and an inability to implement recommendations of key reviews,”Minister Perrett said.
“The State Budget commitment ensures the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce can continue working with its partners in South East Queensland to suppress fire ant populations and support national eradication activities, following the success of a two year record injection to supercharge efforts.
“Reducing fire ant densities by 86 per cent on average is a significant milestone but there is still more crucial work to be done.
“We cannot achieve eradication alone, success depends on all levels of government, industry, and the community continuing to work together.”
The latest Budget commitment follows $61 million already invested in the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce program.
That funding is separate from Queensland’s financial contribution to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
Zoom Out
Aerial treatment has covered land across Redland City, Gold Coast City, Brisbane City and Logan City.
It has also covered Ipswich City, Scenic Rim and Somerset local government areas.
The government said fire ants crossed containment lines during Labor’s decade in office. Infestations spread across more than 800,000 hectares during that period.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program aims to eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032. Reducing populations within heavily infested areas supports that national target.
Biosecurity is also central to the government’s primary industries plan. Queensland aims to reach $30 billion in primary industries production by 2030.
What To Look For Next?
Aerial suppression work will continue during 2026-27 using the latest Budget funding.
The funding is intended to keep reducing fire ant densities across Redland City and surrounding areas. It will also support the national eradication target for 2032.
Residents can report suspected fire ants or request information through fireants.org.au. Reports can also be made by calling 132 ANT on 13 22 68.
