Overview
- A nest of red imported fire ants was detected and destroyed at the Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre, with the discovery reported on Tuesday and triggering an immediate biosecurity response.
- Specialist detection teams including fire‑ant detection dogs searched the site and nearby areas and found no additional nests so far.
- Genetic analysis by national biosecurity teams indicates the ants most likely arrived in an overseas shipping container rather than from the existing south‑east Queensland infestation.
- Authorities have set up an incident management team and begun inspecting and treating properties within 500 metres of the hub, with surveillance and further treatments planned out to 2 kilometres based on scientific guidance about queen dispersal.
- Fire ants deliver painful stings, threaten people, pets, agriculture and infrastructure, and advocacy groups warn that uncontrolled establishment could cost the Australian economy heavily while past NSW eradications show early detection can succeed and justify increased biosecurity investment.