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Fire Ants Cost Million in Cleanup | Brisbane News
Description
A Central Queensland business faced a $1,200 fine after accidentally spreading fire ants—triggering a $1 million aerial eradication effort across five coal mines. The invasive ants, first spotted in July near Moranbah, hitched a ride on second-hand bricks used as road base, though the supplier remains unnamed. The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is enforcing strict biosecurity measures while expanding surveillance to include more material-moving businesses, possibly using sniffer dogs and patrols. With fire ants already costing Australia $1 billion since their arrival 25 years ago, this incident underscores how a small oversight can spiral into massive financial and ecological damage—and why stricter vigilance is now critical to prevent future outbreaks.
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