As fire ant numbers surge across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, new research shows Queensland households could be hit with an annual bill of $188 million, if they are not eradicated.
The report, released by the Australia Institute, estimates that, if fire ants are allowed to spread, every year they could cause six deaths, trigger 116,000 medical visits and sting Queensland households with additional costs – from medical expenses to pet care. The most impacted Queensland electorates are projected to be Coomera on the Gold Coast, Bundamba and Jordan in Ipswich as well as Logan.
If fire ants are allowed to spread throughout the state, the modelling shows that households in each electorate will spend an average of $2 million per year for pest management, medical and veterinary visits. The modelling predicts that every year, in the average Queensland state electorate, fire ants will:
- Sting 16,585 people
- Cause 1,244 extra medical visits
- Lead 332 people to develop anaphylactic reactions
- Cost medical systems $509,000
- Cause 2,041 extra vet visits, at a cost of $204,000
- Cost households $1.3 million in fire ant management
Previous Australia Institute research shows that fire ants will cost Australia more than $22 billion by the 2040s if allowed to spread.
Invasive Species Council Advocacy Manager Reece Pianta said: ‘Queenslanders are already facing some fire ant costs, but this will get much worse if eradication is allowed to fail.
‘We are very concerned that the current level of government funding is not enough to ensure eradication success and none of the parties contesting the upcoming Queensland election have committed to ongoing fire ant eradication funding.
‘Failure to win the war against fire ants will ultimately cost Queensland households, councils and hospitals hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
‘That is why we are calling on all candidates and parties to make this a priority ahead of the Queensland election by committing to sustained funding eradication efforts while we still have a chance to win this fight.
‘Their stings can harm and kill humans, wildlife and pets, will cost Australia over $2 billion per year and could slash agricultural output by up to 40%.
‘Our environment, health and lifestyle are at stake. Imagine not being able to enjoy your local park or beach because it’s infested with deadly fire ants. It’s already happening overseas where they are out of control.
‘For every dollar spent on fire ant eradication, the public benefit is estimated to be between $3 and $9.’
The Australia Institute Research Director, Rod Campbell said: ‘If a murderer said that they planned to kill six random Queenslanders each year, the response would be enormous. That’s essentially what fire ants are saying yet the response is minimal.
‘Keeping Queenslanders safe should be the next parliament’s absolute priority and that means immediate investment in eradicating fire ants.
‘Our research shows that investing in fire ant eradication is one of the best economic policies a government could adopt, as well as being good environmental and security policy.’
Find out how much fire ants will cost you here.
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Photos to accompany this story are available here.
Background:
- The Qld LNP Opposition committed to implement key fire ant Australian senate inquiry recommendations if elected and strengthen the fire ant eradication program.
- Fire ants can be lethal to humans, are expected to have a $2 billion per year impact on Australia’s economy if they get out of control, will devastate wildlife, cut agricultural output by up to 40% and may cause over one hundred thousand extra medical appointments each year.
- A study of fire ant’s likely impact on 123 species in South East Queensland predicted population declines in about 45% of birds, 38% of mammals, 69% of reptiles, and 95% of frogs.
- Fire ants can form rafts during flood events, stowaway in freight or soil or spread by Queen ant flights of around 5 km.
- Fire ants have been successfully eradicated in Sydney, Fremantle, Gladston and contained to south east Queensland. Outbreaks in NSW, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast prove that eradication is the only permanent solution.
- A comprehensive government study from 2021 found that between $200 and $300 million annually would be required over the next 10 years or Australia would face at least a $2 billion cost per year from fire ants forever.
- Despite this only $133 million was provided for fire ant eradication last financial year.
- Fire ant eradication is being led by the Queensland government but is funded by all Australian governments because fire ants are a threat to the whole country.
- Fire ants came into Australia in the late 90s in freight from the United States, they were found in 2001. Fire ants are originally from South America.
- Fire ants have spread across most of the southern United States, and are spreading in China at a rate of about 80 km per year.
- Almost all of Australia is climatically suitable for fire ants.
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