In an alarming development for the state's biosecurity, fire ants have broken through the northern border and made their way into New South Wales.

Authorities have confirmed the detection of three red imported fire ant nests – with surveillance ongoing - in South Murwillumbah in north-eastern NSW, 13 kilometres south of the Queensland border.

This is the first fire ant detection in Northern NSW and presumed to be the most southern report of fire ants from the Queensland infestation.

Red imported fire ants can damage electrical and agricultural equipment, sting people, pets and livestock, kill native plants and animals, and damage ecosystems beyond repair.

The detection in NSW has triggered the National Fire Ant Eradication Program response which is part of the $600 million eradication plan developed by the Australian governments.

NSW DPI are leading the control, tracing, and communications by implementing an emergency biosecurity order across a radius of five kilometres from the site in South Murwillumbah.

All businesses and residents within that radius are now restricted in how they can move potential fire ant carrier materials without permission.

The following types of materials are restricted: mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay and other baled products.

NSW DPI Officers and detection dogs are working on determining the extent of the infestation, undertaking genetic testing of the fire ants, and searching all properties within the control radius.

To date, NSW DPI fire ant preparedness activities have involved educating and training 67,000 industry and community stakeholders in the northern border zone of NSW, through face-to-face engagements, electronic direct mail and letterbox drops.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said confirmation red imported fire ants have been found in New South Wales for the first time proves Labor was too slow to act and called for a "please explain".

“Labor and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt must now explain how they allowed red imported fire ants to spread and immediately detail their plan to control the New South Wales invasion.”

“The whole country has been put at risk of fire ants because Labor was too slow to act,” Mr Littleproud said. “The Response Plan in July said $592 million was required over the next four years to control the pest, including immediate funding for 2023-2024.

The National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program strategic review also estimated that at least $200 to $300 million per year was required. Labor’s funding was needed five months ago, which put the time-critical response at risk."

“It has been obvious for some time the funding was not going to be enough. The lack of action and the delays in funding undermined previous work that had been done under the Coalition Government to control fire ants.”

Tara Moriarty, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales, countered this claim saying her government was ready to tackle the issue.

“We are prepared for this discovery of fire ants in northern NSW and have immediately implemented our response plan which is part of the $600 million national program," Ms Moriarty said.

"I am in contact with our teams on the ground who are enforcing the emergency control order, tracing where this infestation may have originated from and monitoring the immediate chemical eradication of the fire ants. Our teams are focused on limiting further spread, and encouraging reporting and compliance through a targeted communications campaign."

“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and as our fire ant response ramps up in northern NSW, I encourage everyone to continue to check their properties for these pests.

"With the Christmas cross-border travel season approaching, we all must be careful of what we’re moving and where. Finding fire ants early and alerting NSW DPI, will increase our chances of a successful eradication effort."

Tara Moriarty is the NSW Minister for Agriculture

NSW Farmers have weighed into the emergency situation, calling on everyone to comply with all directions and restrictions introduced by the NSW Government. 

Those who breach the emergency biosecurity order could face significant penalties with fines for breaches reaching up to $1.1 million for an individual and up to $2.2 million for a corporation.

For more information about red imported fire ants, visit the NSW DPI website.

Residents and businesses in northern NSW should report any sign of fire ants to NSW DPI - 1800 680 244 or online here.