WTMA takes crazy ant proposal to Canberra

FEDERAL ministers will get a first-hand understanding of the threat that yellow crazy ants pose to agriculture, wildlife, pets and the tropical way of life when a delegation from the Far North heads to Canberra this week.
Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) executive director Scott Buchanan and the coordinator of the Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Program, Lucy Karger, will take a comprehensive and costed eradication proposal to government.
Supported by Federal Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch MP, on Wednesday the group will meet with the Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt MP, Queensland Senators James McGrath and Ian Macdonald, and a senior adviser to Agriculture Minister Senator Barnaby Joyce.
They’ll be joined by a local landowner and representative for the rural community, Frank Teodo, and the LNP’s Candidate for Kennedy, Noeline Ikin.
“My job is a simple one – it’s to go to Canberra and let the decision-makers know how serious the yellow crazy ant problem will become if nothing is done to stop it,” said Mr Teodo.
“Super-colonies of the ants have already invaded my home and property. It’s hard to describe what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night and realise that, if you open your eyes, hundreds of ants will spray formic acid into them. Twice I have had to go to the eye specialist because I was temporarily blinded in one eye.”
Mr Teodo said he was also speaking on behalf of a number of very concerned primary producers in saying that there has been extensive loss of production in sugar cane crops infested by yellow crazy ants.
“The fruit trees on my property have become diseased and no longer produce usable fruit since the ants took over,” he added.
“Yellow crazy ants are a major threat to the animals and plants of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area,” said Mr Buchanan. “Not many animals can survive within an infestation. The ants will also affect the tourism industry and people’s enjoyment of our beautiful forests if they spread further.
“WTMA’s funding proposal to eradicate the ants will focus on working with the local community and researchers to find the best methods for baiting and to ensure the ants are not spread to new areas.”
Ms Ikin is a strong supporter of the eradication program and encouraged WTMA to go to Canberra to put their case forward.
“The yellow crazy ant situation in the Wet Tropics is different to anywhere else in Australia,” she said. “Fortunately, if we act quickly, we still have an opportunity to eradicate infestations in these target areas.
“It’s something that’s very important to our local people so I’ll continue to work with WTMA and communities to identify a plan for the future and get the support we need from government.”
Mr Entsch said he was wholly supportive of WTMA’s efforts to eradicate the pest species in areas adjacent to the Wet Tropics and said the commitment from local landholders such as Mr Teodo had been “outstanding”.
“It’s great to see that there is a focus on total eradication, rather than just control, which is critical. If we move quickly we can achieve that outcome.
“In July I met with WTMA and Russett Park Community Taskforce members, including the Jacoby family, and I have to commend the residents for their efforts in their local area.
“It would be an absolute disaster if these ants were to get further established in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area – we have to act now, so I congratulate WTMA for their very comprehensive eradication proposal and I’ll be advocating strongly on their behalf with my colleagues.”