Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto has called on the Queensland and Australian governments to commit $24 million over four years to continue the fight against Yellow Crazy Ants and protect the region from one of the world’s most invasive species.
The pests form super colonies, spread rapidly through human-assisted movement of soil, plants and machinery, and can cause significant impacts to native wildlife, pets, public spaces, industry and residential communities.
Townsville currently has 57 known infestation sites spread across 14 suburbs.
Council established a Yellow Crazy Ant Management Program in 2023 following receipt of a $12.8 million investment from the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program.
This funding concludes in 2027.
Mayor Nick Dametto said the investment had been a game-changer, enabling Council to establish a highly effective management program, build specialist capability, identify previously unknown infestations, and determine the true extent of the challenge facing the city.
“Before we had the support of the Queensland and Australian governments and were working with very limited resources, Council had identified only 14 sites across the city’s footprint,” Cr Dametto said.
“However, we knew the problem was far more serious and since the program commenced in late 2023 Council has identified and managed 57 known infestation sites across the city, delivered 624 treatment events and treated more than 22,000 hectares.
“Early identification and intervention prevented these areas from becoming large and expensive infestations, which is the ultimate goal of effective biosecurity management.”
Cr Dametto said the effectiveness of the Townsville Yellow Crazy Ant Management Program (TYCAMP) was evident, with 83 per cent of identified infestation sites progressing to post-treatment monitoring.
“The program has successfully contained infestations that threatened some of the city’s most significant assets including Bowling Green Bay National Park, Townsville University Hospital, and outbreaks affecting businesses, residential developments and native wildlife habitats,” Cr Dametto said.
“This is a testament to the hard work and expertise of the TYCAMP team, the openness and cooperation of affected Townsville landholders and of course our Federal and State funding partners – it is a true success story on the biosecurity front, and we want to keep up that great work.
“Without continued investment these gains could be lost, with active infestations returning to previously controlled sites and likely spreading to new areas – both of which would be disastrous.”
Cr Dametto moved a motion, supported by all councillors, at today’s General Meeting to proceed with a coordinated advocacy effort seeking continued funding from both levels of government.
The Mayor will now write to the Prime Minister, the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, the Queensland Minister for Primary Industries and local Federal Members and State Members seeking a four-year, $24 million funding extension from 2027, with $12 million requested from each level of government.
