The detection of a pest with the ability to wreak havoc on Australia’s economy has triggered a biosecurity lockdown of a busy suburb in Sydney’s inner-west.
From today, Enfield is subject to a strict biosecurity control order after fire ants were discovered at the suburb’s freight centre in late September.
The lockdown covers a two kilometre radius from the Enfield intermodal logistics centre, where red fire ants – likely to have been imported from overseas via a shipping container – were discovered.
Fire ants are notorious for their extremely painful sting and pose a major threat to agriculture and native wildlife.
The Invasive Species Council has previously warned the spread of the ‘super pest’ could cost the Australian economy up to $2billion a year.
Despite nine sniffer dogs and 60 personnel not finding any more of the invasive pests since the initial detection, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said no chances would be taken.
‘For most people, daily life will continue as normal. People can go to work, visit friends and family, and move around the area as they always do,’ she said.
‘The restrictions only apply to the movement of specific high-risk materials that could carry fire ants.’
Enfield in Sydney’s inner-west is subject to a strict biosecurity control order after fire ants were recently discovered at the suburb’s freight centre. Pictured is a previous infestation in south-east Queensland
The lockdown covers a two kilometre radius from the Enfield intermodal logistics centre
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty (pictured) assured that most Enfield residents will still be able to go about their daily lives
Turf, mulch, soil, potted plants and heavy equipment are the types of items that will have their movements restricted under the control order.
Businesses will be required to properly treat and handle the material before it can be moved through the lockdown zone.
Fire ants vary between 2-6 millimetres in length and are dark red-brown in colour but most people spot their nests before the pests themselves.
Nests appear as areas of bare, loose soil ranging from flat patches up to mounds reaching 40cm high with no visible entrance hole.
The Invasive Species Council warned the spread of the ‘super pest’ could cost the Australian economy up to $2billion a year.
Entomologists have confirmed the Sydney fire ants discovery was not linked to a second outbreak in south-east Queensland.
The month-long gap between detection and the imposition of the lockdown allowed the government to undertake an education campaign for the local community, Moriarty said.
A community drop-in centre in Strathfield Park has been set up for community members to learn how to spot the pest, including a live high security fire ants’ tank to show people what they look like.
