The Invasive Species Council has raised fresh alarm over fire ants, warning that the latest nest found in Baringa may signal a wider, entrenched infestation across the Sunshine Coast.
“This is alarming. The frequency of new Sunshine Coast detections raises the spectre that fire ants have escaped the northern containment boundary, risking large-scale infestation,” Invasive Species Council Advocacy Director, Reece Pianta said.
Unlike previous isolated finds, the new nest lies near earlier sites, suggesting fire ants may already be establishing a stronghold in the region. “We are calling for an urgent, rapid surveillance blitz… to evaluate the scale and severity of the infestation,” Mr Pianta said.
He added that federal action and funding are critical: “This is a national biosecurity emergency… If fire ants escape the current containment zone, they will spread across the country.”
Mr Pianta urged the community to stay alert and report sightings via www.fireants.org.au.
