Queensland’s fight against fire ants is taking a significant step forward with the creation of a new role to help nursery businesses remain productive while meeting biosecurity obligations.
In a first for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (the program), funding has supported the establishment of a fire ant education officer within Greenlife Industry Queensland (GIQ).
This proactive initiative between the program and the nursery industry aims to stop the spread of fire ants and support compliance, with the tools and resources developed available for other industries to adopt.
The 18-month Fire Ant Ready pilot program will deliver tailored guidance, practical compliance tools, industry resources and one-on-one mentoring to nursery growers operating both inside and outside the fire ant biosecurity zones.
Brendan Roe, appointed as GIQ’s Fire Ant Education Project Officer brings extensive experience in agronomy and biosecurity to the role.
He will work closely with nursery businesses across Queensland, providing hands-on support to help them meet their general biosecurity obligations and trade safely.
By funding this dedicated education role, the program is not only enhancing compliance but also empowering the nursery industry to proactively address biosecurity challenges.
Visit fireants.org.au or call 132 ANT (13 22 68) for more information.
Quotes attributable to Sean Kelly, Director Specialist Operations, National Fire Ant Eradication Program
'We welcome the appointment of Greenlife Industry Queensland’s dedicated fire ant education officer to help strengthen compliance and education within the nursery industry,' he said.
'The practical initiative shows how strong industry leadership can significantly reduce the threat posed by fire ants and support businesses to meet their biosecurity obligations.
'Initiatives like this help stop the spread of fire ants and protect our communities, agriculture, and environment.
'We remain committed to supporting the nursery sector - and all industries at risk - to protect Queensland and Australia from this ongoing threat.'
Quotes attributable to Colin Fruk, Chief Executive Officer, Greenlife Industry Queensland
'Queensland nursery growers already demonstrate very high levels of fire ant compliance, because our industry understands what’s at stake for agriculture, the environment and our communities.
'This pilot program is about taking the industry from good to great - providing practical tools and one-on-one support so businesses can strengthen their systems and manage compliance with confidence.
'By working directly with growers, Brendan will help us develop an industry-driven model that strengthens biosecurity while also supporting productive businesses.
'If successful, this approach could become a blueprint for other high-risk industries.'
Quotes attributable to Brendan Roe, Fire Ant Education Project Officer, Greenlife Industry Queensland
'I am looking forward to working directly with growers to strengthen industry capability,' he said.
'I’ve worked both in biosecurity compliance and on large horticultural farms, so I understand the practical challenges growers face with biosecurity.
'This role is about working alongside businesses to make compliance achievable.
'Queensland’s nursery growers are already highly committed to doing the right thing, and I’m excited to help build systems and tools that make compliance easier and more efficient.'
About Greenlife Industries Queensland
GIQ is the peak industry body representing Queensland’s nursery and greenlife sector, part of Australia's $3 billion nursery industry that supplies plants and trees used in landscaping, agriculture, environmental restoration and urban greening across the country.