Latest updates:
THE CURRENT BIOSECURITY EMERGENCY ORDER:
The current Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order defines the emergency zones and requirements for moving fire ant carriers.
If you are moving the defined fire ant carriers from the parts of QLD and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order. View the current order and Plain English Guide.
About Tweed Heads
Fire ants were confirmed at a property in Tweed Heads South on 2 July 2025, 2.6 km from the Qld border. The ants were reported by a vigilant pest controller, via the NSW Biosecurity Helpline, following the discovery of a suspect nest.
Officers from the NSW Fire Ant Team and National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) are completing surveillance, treatment and investigations into the likely source. Movement controls now apply to fire ant carriers within a 5 km radius from the nest, which will have an effect on more businesses and residents in the area.
The department published Biosecurity (Fire Ant) Emergency Order (No. 9) 2025 on 2 July 2025, defining changes to the boundaries of the NSW fire ant infested area and Queensland fire ant infested area. The NSW fire ant infested area now encompasses much of Tweed Heads South, including Banora Point down as far as the Tweed River. The Queensland fire ant infested area now covers the area north of the border at Rainbow Bay and Greenmount.
There are no changes to the boundaries of the NSW fire ant movement control areas (Murwillumbah and Wardell).
If you are moving the defined fire ant carriers from the parts of Qld and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order. View the current order and Plain English Guide.
Communities in the border regions of Northern NSW should be on the lookout for fire ants and their nests and contact NSW DPIRD or call 1800 680 244 if suspected fire ants are found.
Next steps of the response
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) will be conducting surveillance and treatment in the 2km radius around the infestation until, to ensure there are no more fire ants present.
It is vital that fire 100% of properties in the target area are checked and treated, whether fire ants are visible or not, to protect residents and businesses in the local community from the harmful impacts of this invasive pest.
Murwillumbah residents are being urged to play an active role in protecting their community against fire ants, by providing consent to allow surveillance and treatment on their properties.
When fire ant teams seek access to your property, let them in to keep fire ants out. Authorise fire ant teams to enter the outdoor areas of your property to undertake surveillance and treatment by signing the Property Information Form.
Treatment is safe for people and animals.
Authorise fire ant teams to enter your property
When fire ant teams seek access to your property, let them in to keep fire ants out
Treatments are safe for people and animals
Treatment is approved by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
What can you do?
- Check your property for fire ant nests and call us if you find any suspicious ants or nests
- Only move products that are regulated as fire ant carriers if allowed by the Emergency Order and the Group Biosecurity Emergency Permit
- Be aware of your obligations. Read the current order and Plain English Guide.
You're allowed to move fire ant carriers into and within the 5km fire ant infested area without restrictions.
If you are moving fire ant carriers out of the NSW fire ant infested area at Tweed Heads into any other part of NSW (see Part 2 of the Emergency Order):
- Check the definition of your carrier material (Part 1, Clause 9 of the Order).
- Check the specific individual requirements for that material in Part 2 of the Order)
- Ensure that it meets treatment or cleaning requirements (Clauses 16-33). This may include treatment of the premises, treatment of the carrier itself, keeping the material in preventative conditions, obtaining a biosecurity certificate, or completing a Record of Movement declaration.
- Requirements may vary if you are moving fire ant carriers on behalf of a business, organisation or council (Part 2, Clause 12).
Call the Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 if you need more information.