A fire-ant focussed blitz on heavy vehicles crossing the border from Queensland to New South Wales will not affect the Western Plains region - at least not yet.

Biosecurity fears that the unwanted insect will "hitchhike" on high risk vehicles and enter our state has seen NSW Police and DPI operating on the border as part of Operation Victa.

Freighted high risk materials under inspection include agricultural and earthmoving equipment, mulch, compost, hay, soil, turf, or potting mix.

Anyone transporting these materials from the known infestation zone in Queensland, will also need to comply with cleaning requirements, and lodge a Biosecurity Certificate. This online form gives the information needed to track high-risk material and stop the spread of fire ants.

"We all have a part to play in the effort to keep NSW fire ant free." Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said. "We’re reminding all those transporting fire ant carrier materials from Queensland into NSW, or from the NSW control zone, to complete a Record of Movement declaration prior to departure."

Western Plains App contacted Ms Moriarty's office to find out how this latest strategy to keep the pest at bay is affecting border crossings in the western region.

"At the moment, the high risk area for the fire ant problem is at the south east end of the border," spokesperson, Alistair Watson said. "It extends along to the Tweed Valley and so the blitz is focussed there and not in the western border area at this time."

Mr Watson said there were currently no known infestation areas of the fire ant in NSW.

"The outbreak at South Murwillumbah has been eradicated," he said. "A detailed search around the infestation zone found nothing and we are confident that this is now clear."

"The focus on the border will move as needed to address the threat. While its currently not necessary at the western end, should that become an area of concern then efforts will move there. Currently though, we are pleased to say there are no known infected areas in NSW."

As part of the community awareness campaign, DPI with the Department of Education are informing school children in the north coast region about the dangers of fire ants. Fighting the Fire ant - as a citizen scientist is being delivered in both secondary schools and primary schools. 

"It is important local schools are involved in raising the awareness of fire ants, with the Fighting the Fire ant - as a citizen scientist program, because they will raise this topic at home and spread the word," Ms Moriarty said. \\"With increased traffic expected between Queensland and NSW over the Christmas school holidays it is imperative that we all do our bit to ensure that we stop the spread of fire ants into NSW."