Overview

• Authorities destroyed an immature fire ant nest found late Tuesday on a Tweed Heads property and surveyed the surrounding 500-metre square for additional outbreaks.
• A five-kilometre containment zone has been declared to restrict movement of high-risk materials and enable thorough treatment operations.
• Genetic testing of collected specimens is under way to pinpoint the incursion’s origin and track any related material movements from Queensland.
• NSW has committed AU$95 million to its eradication program while stop-and-check border operations have inspected 676 vehicles and turned back 24 for non-compliance.
• Advocacy groups are urging the federal government to match Queensland’s AU$24 million boost and endorse a permanent national eradication effort.