NSW: Updates to fire ants Emergency Order for freight operators
Source: Transport for NSW (23.07.2025)
Are you transporting high-risk fire ant carrier materials into NSW from QLD?
The NSW fire ant response continues following a detection of the invasive species at Tweed Heads South earlier this month, about 2.6 kilometres from the Queensland border.
As a result, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has extended the NSW fire ant infested area, and movement controls now apply to fire ant carriers within a five-kilometre radius of the nest. This impacts more businesses and residents in the area. This area is shown in orange on this map (also pictured below).
This is the fourth incursion following fire ant detections at Murwillumbah in November 2023 and Wardell in January 2024, and an interception at Clunes on 13 November 2024.
Advice for freight operators
Freight operators moving any of the defined fire ant carriers (see list below) from the parts of Queensland and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order. Note: the order specifies requirements for both vehicles and loads.
View the new order and Plain English Guide, and be aware of your obligations. A Group Biosecurity Permit allows some movements from the Murwillumbah and Wardell fire ant movement control areas contrary to the order.
When moving the vehicles defined below into NSW from a Queensland or NSW fire ant infested area or fire ant movement control area, be aware of your obligations:
- Heavy vehicles: need to be clean so they are free of soil.
- Agricultural & horticultural equipment: needs to be clean so they are free of soil.
- Earth moving equipment: needs to be clean so it is free of soil. A Record of Movement (RoM) declaration is required.
- Pallets, packaging, containers & covers: need to be clean so they are free of soil
For freight operators transporting defined fire ant carriers (such as soil, hay, mulch and potted plants) from the parts of Queensland and NSW shown in red, orange or yellow on this map, you must comply with the current Emergency Order.
Each carrier has different treatment and transport requirements. This may include specific chemical treatments, premises treatments, preventative condition during transit, biosecurity certification and record of movement declarations.
As the driver, you may be required to carry documentation with carrier materials. Ask the supplier if the load is compliant. For more information, check the Who is responsible for moving fire ant carriers factsheet.
Drivers are reminded Operation Victa regularly stops vehicles crossing the border into NSW to carry out inspections.
Important
- The permit which previously allowed hay to move from some parts of Queensland into NSW has expired. All hay moving into NSW from the Qld fire ant infested area must be chemically treated as per the Order.
- Turf movements from Qld fire ant infested areas into NSW are currently suspended. No turf can move into NSW from the Qld fire ant infested area until further notice.
Let’s keep working together to keep this pest out of NSW. For more information on fire ants, identification, nests and how we are managing the threat to NSW, visit: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants or call 1800 680 244. If you suspect fire ants:
LEAVE IT: do not destroy or treat the nest. Fire ants are prohibited matter in NSW.
SNAP IT: safely take a clear photo or video for identification.
CALL IT: call the hotline on 1800 680 244, submit an online form.
Useful information
Fire ant map: www.fireants.org.au
Think you have seen them? Call 1800 680 244
