Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Environment
Daisy Dumas

Fire ants could be spreading on Australian military bases due to ‘massive surveillance failure’, experts say

RAAF base Amberley
RAAF base Amberley in Queensland. A 2021 review found that ‘Amberley airbase provides ideal fire ant habitat’. Photograph: Sgt Andrew Eddie/Department of Defence

Defence bases pose a “huge risk” when it comes to stopping the spread of invasive fire ants in Australia, with experts suggesting there has been “a massive surveillance failure” on the commonwealth-owned properties.

Fire ants have been detected at eight defence sites in Queensland. Seven are within the state’s 700,000-hectare fire ants containment zone, which stretches from the Gold Coast to Caboolture.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.