QTPA Member Alert |Changes to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area from 31 October 2013 (2/11/2012)
Changes to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area from 31 October 2013
Revised boundaries for the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area (RIFA Restricted Area) have been implemented. The risk status of 49 suburbs within these boundaries has also changed.
A declaration notice outlining the changed suburbs will be published in the Courier Mail and Queensland Times on Saturday, 2 November 2013.
The RIFA Restricted Area is in place to prevent the spread of fire ants through controls on the movement of risk items such as soil, mulch, hay, turf and pot plants.
Legislative changes in December 2012 aligned the RIFA Restricted Area boundary with suburb boundaries to make it easier for residents and businesses to identify whether they were inside or outside the area. Suburbs within the RIFA Restricted Area were also aligned to either a high risk restricted area or a low risk restricted area based on their risk profile.
Movement control requirements for industry and residents are outlined in the table below along with a listing of suburbs that are within the high risk restricted area and the low risk restricted area.
A map of the updated Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area (Version 46) is attached for your information.
Restricted Items | Requirements for: | High Risk | Low Risk |
Soil *refer below | Mulch | Commercial operators | In this area movement of restricted items requires an Approved Risk Management Plan or an Inspector’s Approval to move these items off a property. | Within this area movement of restricted items is allowed. Movement into the unrestricted area requires an Approved Risk Management Plan or an Inspector’s Approval. |
Manure | Bark | |||
Hay | Pot plants | |||
Sleepers/logs | Potting media | |||
Poultry litter | Gravels | |||
Turf |
*Soil will require an Inspector’s Approval before being moved into an unrestricted area. Log on to www.daff.qld.gov.au/fireants for details. | Residents | Residents living in this area have several options when moving restricted items off their property. 1. Move the items to a local waste facility 2. Treat the items 3. Seek an approval from an inspector | Residents living in this area have no formal requirements. Please check your yard for fire ants and call 13 25 23 if you think you have found suspect ants |
Businesses should 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 3310 2907.
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 3310 2873 to make a booking.
For more information about the changes to the Red Imported Fire Ant Restricted Area, please visit www.daff.qld.gov.au/fireants
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