21 May 2026
Fire ant nests found at Musgrave Park days before a major cultural festival are a confronting warning of what Queenslanders stand to lose if this invasive pest is not eradicated.
Fire ants pose a direct threat to the parks, playgrounds, backyards, sporting fields and public spaces that shape everyday life in Brisbane.
If fire ants aren't eradicated, community events, weekend gatherings and outdoor traditions will face increasing disruption and risk. This is the reality of a future with fire ants.
Musgrave Park, which will host the 50th Paniyiri Greek Festival, is managed by Brisbane City Council and is within the suppression treatment area, where landowners are responsible for managing fire ant infestations until the National Fire Ant Eradication Program conducts treatment in their area.
Brisbane City Council takes fire ant management on council owned land seriously and like other councils in South East Queensland is treating fire ant nests in public spaces. The Queensland Government's Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST) thanks the council for its ongoing support.
FAST provides free fire ant treatment products and equipment to property owners, tenants and councils within the suppression treatment area, to ensure detections are treated quickly and effectively.
FAST efforts support the National Fire Ant Eradication Program's goal of eradicating fire ants from Australia by 2032, by reducing the number of fire ants in areas awaiting eradication treatment. This aligns with the program's staged, inward transition.
In the past 12 months, more than 5,200 suspect ant reports have been made across Brisbane, including sporting fields at New Farm and Coorparoo, and rooftop garden beds in the city.
An additional 11,000 Brisbane households are proactively checking and treating their yards for fire ants.
Under Queensland's biosecurity legislation, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation to take practical steps to reduce the risk of fire ants. This includes learning how to identify, report and respond to them.
Visit fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) for more information.
Quotes attributable to Dr Rachel Chay, Chief Biosecurity Officer, Biosecurity Queensland
'This is a stark reminder of what a future with fire ants could mean for Brisbane. They pose a serious threat to the outdoor lifestyle we know and love. The discovery of nests at a major inner-city park used for major community events, highlights that this is not a distant biosecurity issue,' she said.
'Australia is still dealing with the impact of introduced pests like rabbits and cane toads, but fire ants are a super pest. Fire ants damage our environment and threaten our agriculture industry, and their stings can trigger severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
'More than 66,000 residents across Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands and the Gold Coast are already playing an important role by self-treating their yards for hidden fire ants and that vigilance remains critical, especially given their ability to fly. However, there is still more work to be done, and residents are encouraged to register for fire ant treatment kits.
'If people see suspect fire ants or nests, they should report them immediately at fireants.org.au/report or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) so action can be taken quickly.'
More information
- Learn how to identify fire ants and nests.
- Check your property and local area for fire ants.
- Take steps to prevent the spread of this invasive pest.