Changes to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area

The boundaries for the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area have been revised.

Changes are made to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area to reflect changes to the risk status of suburbs and localities as new infestation is detected or areas are cleared of infestation following completion of all required treatment and surveillance activities.

A declaration notice will appear in the Courier Mail and Queensland Times on Saturday, 30 August 2014 detailing the suburbs and localities that are now within the high risk and low risk restricted areas.

The following changes come into effect from 30 August 2014:

•  Hatton Vale is being removed from the restricted area and will no longer be subject to movement controls.

•  Chuwar and Yarrabilba which were previously free of restrictions, will now move into the low risk restricted area which has implications for businesses operating in these suburbs.

•  Chambers Flat, Logan Reserve, Lower Mount Walker, Sheldon, Stockleigh, Tivoli, Buccan and Logan Village move into the high risk restricted area which has implications for both residents and businesses.

An updated Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area map, the declaration notice and details about the movement controls within the high and low risk restricted areas is available on the website www.daff.qld.gov.au/fireants.

We recommend businesses review their Approved Risk Management Plan as Inspectors will be conducting spot audits over the coming months. If you require advice or assistance regarding your plan, please contact a fire ant Inspector on 3330 4612.

Updated fire ant training is available at no charge for all persons. The training outlines everything you need to know including your legal obligations, how to update or apply for a Risk Management Plan and fire ant surveillance and identification. Please call 13 25 23 to make a booking.

To download the spatial dataset of the Fire Ant restricted areas please go to QGIS:

http://dds.information.qld.gov.au/DDS/

Search Items:  “Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Areas”.

Publisher:  Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

For more information about the changes to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area, please visit www.daff.qld.gov.au/fireants