Eumundi Voice Issue 112, 6 March 2025

COMMUNITY

Don’t panic – support!

Don’t panic – it’s business as usual. That’s the advice from our local nursery and garden centre owners following the discovery of a handful of fire ant nests at North Arm.

Demands for action by the government and Qld Farmers Federation to prevent any possible new nests were immediately complied with by the many affected businesses located within a 5km radius of the Bunya Rd infestation site. There have been no other sightings or nests found outside of the original site.

Kieran of Big Leaf Nurseries says he has jumped through incredible hoops to comply with numerous requirements, including spraying with toxic Bifenthrin throughout his property. His nursery is strictly wholesale, supplying outlets across Qld and NSW. Extra costs include treating all potting mix, special clothing for his staff, running safety instruction meetings and the loss of business.

“No government funding support nor insurance cover this. Governments have never taken precautions to eradicate fire ants permanently and now we must pay out a fortune to survive. I’m not going to criticise scientists, but it will

take a long while to recover following this,” said Kieran.

Smaller nurseries, restricting themselves to local buyers, mainly adopt effective alternatives to Bifenthrin, because it can also kill other insects, spiders, ticks and worms.

One local nursery owner said she only uses natural fertilisers with the aid of her worms and lady bugs. “I’ve spent over 15 years creating and building up my natural business and I am not going to kill off all my insects – including bees –by using such a toxic spray.”

Her business is suffering the loss of sales although she has fully complied. Hundreds of her plants have been re-potted, carefully checked, raised up on solid plastic sheeting, and covered with netting in case any surviving fire ant queen has escaped and flies in. She said unfortunately outlets like Bunnings have cancelled orders, so she can only sell to locals, and she needs their support.

Angela of Fairhill Nursery said, “It is business as usual.” Most customers are locals, but she has also satisfied the compliance demands. She expressed sympathy for the wholesale nurseries which depend on interstate buyers.

Abby, a fourth generation Templeton helping dad Shane run their extensive ginger farm, attends every meeting getting a ‘crash course’ to ensure their staff are aware should an outbreak occur. The ginger is thoroughly washed before leaving the farm, so no dirt remains. The farm lies 500m outside the exclusion zone, but they ensure all suppliers are clear.

All growers said it is worrying, time consuming and costly but as Kieran said, “obviously the crowds still flocking to Eumundi and Yandina Markets are not panicking.” Eileen Walder