Port Botany response July 2016
On Friday 28 November 2014, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture staff at Port Botany detected red imported fire ants during routine surveillance. DNA testing confirmed the samples to be a new incursion into Australia.
Movement restrictions on materials such as soil, plants and timber were put in place in the Port Botany area during the eradication response and lifted once prescribed baiting, luring and surveillance had been completed.
Following the successful cross government response, a statistical review of the surveillance conducted at Port Botany concluded a high level of confidence that there were no further nests within the 2km surveillance zone. The infestation was declared successfully eradicated in 2016.
Media releases
- Hottest technology engaged in fire ant fight [14 Jan 2015] [PDF]
- Red imported fire ant inspections [18 Dec 2014] news_item
- Red Fire Ant Control Area extended [17 Dec 2014] [PDF]
- Red fire ant eradication efforts continuing [8 Dec 2014] [PDF]
- Eradication of red imported fire ant underway [5 Dec 2014] [PDF]
- Rapid response to suspected fire ant detection [2 Dec 2014] [PDF]
