Latest news with #TaraMoriarty
ABC News
03-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Genetic testing to determine source of fire ant nest at Tweed Heads
Authorities are using genetic testing to work out the origin of red imported fire ants discovered on a property at Tweed Heads just south of the Queensland border. The nest was discovered late on Tuesday by a pest control contractor working on the site. It was destroyed within 24 hours. Department of Primary Industries chief invasive species officer Scott Charleton said the incursion "was to be expected". "We are not naive to the fact that we will get new introductions into the state," Mr Charleton said. According to a statement released by NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, a team surveyed a 500-metre-square area immediately surrounding the site to check for any other fire ant activity. It said the nest was immature, meaning it did not contain a reproductive queen ant. Genetic analysis of the ants will help to determine their likely source, and the the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) is tracing any movement of high-risk materials such as turf and soil to the property. It is the first detection of fire ants in NSW since turf laden with the pests was brought to a property at Eureka, near Byron Bay, in November 2024. The notorious pests are native to South America but have spread throughout large parts of south-east Queensland since they were first detected in Brisbane in 2001. Reece Pianta, from the Invasive Species Council, said it was heartening to see a rapid response by authorities. Mr Pianta said a boost to biosecurity funding by the NSW and Queensland governments was welcome, but the Commonwealth needed to do more. "We have a huge and growing nest population in south-east Queensland and if these get into some of those carrier materials they could spread all over the country," he said. "What we are seeing is that containment isn't a solution, we need to catch every single one of these nests that is escaping. A five-kilometre biosecurity zone has been set up around the Tweed Heads site to allow the area to be thoroughly checked and treated. The zone is also designed to restrict movement of high-risk materials from the area. The NSW government has allocated $95 million to fire ant eradication. A series of stop-and-check operations at the border have so far inspected 676 vehicles, with 24 vehicles sent back to Queensland after failing to meet entry requirements. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the government was committed to the task.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Aussies urged to stay vigilant as 'super' biosecurity threat spotted spreading over border
Aussies have been urged to stay vigilant after a major biosecurity threat was discovered near the New South Wales and Queensland border. An immature fire ant nest, found on a property in Tweed Heads, was reported by a member of the public late on Wednesday. The discovery prompted an emergency operation to control the spread of the invasive "super pest". Renowned for their painful stings, fire ants can attack people, pets and livestock. It's projected they could slash agricultural output in Australia by 40 per cent if left unchecked. Invasive Species Council's Reece Pianta told Yahoo News they could also create a "huge strain" on our health system, causing up to 650,000 additional hospital appointments. Authorities are now conducting genetic analysis of the fire ants to determine the exact source, but Pianta suspects that the ants made their way into New South Wales by being "moved in something like turf, hay or mulch". "They can get into those materials" and be inadvertently transported over the border, he explained. Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said NSW biosecurity officials have already treated the nest and will be on the ground over the coming days, with the immediate area being surveyed for signs of further spread. 'This detection highlights that our government's preparation and education within the Northern Rivers community on preventing and detecting fire ants has fostered a vigilant local community and business people," Moriarty said. "This is yet another reminder that vigilance, awareness and early detection are critical to keep these things out of NSW," NSW Chief Invasive Species Officer Scott Charlton added. Despite the concerning discovery, Pianta believes there are a number of "silver linings". "It was a community member who reported it," Pianta told Yahoo. He believes that means "people are paying attention" to the threat posed by fire ants. He added that it was also found "really early" which means that it likely hasn't spread to other locations or split into other colonies. "That is a hopeful sign," he said. Additionally, the property is "fairly close" to the biosecurity zone, which means that the ants, who can build 'rafts' to protect their queen in wet weather, haven't travelled "too far" into NSW. Pianta has encouraged the community to continue reporting suspected fire ant nests, but to also send a strong message to governments. "We need to report them if we see them," he said. "Fire ant teams are doing this work and we need to keep supporting them with long-term funding and backing the work they're doing. It isn't going to be a short-term fix, or a couple of budget cycles." Earlier this year, Yahoo spoke to Queensland mum Ebony, from Greenbank in Logan, who said her teenage son Kaleb suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction after being stung twice in late 2023. The first time, he was stung just once on the foot but went into full anaphylaxis within five minutes — despite having no prior allergies. She called for urgent government intervention and greater awareness of the dangers of fire ants. It's feared that if fire ants become established across the country, it would mean an extra 150,000 medical emergencies and 650,000 hospital appointments. "That's the human impact," explained Pianta, adding that animals have similar reactions, which could cause "some of our most iconic species to be decimated". "Fire ants continue to sting until they die," he explained, adding, "I can pick fire ants off me but koalas don't have thumbs." 🐜 Warning of absolute devastation if 'red terror' super pest spreads across Australia 🐟 Dad's fight against invasive threat spreading 'everywhere' in our waterways 🌱 Crews caught with illegal garden items fined $60,000 amid 'serious' crackdown Authorities say a new Biosecurity Emergency Control order will be issued, which will establish a 5km zone to restrict the movement of high-risk materials like turf. Previously, two Queensland turf businesses were fined $60,000 for carrying supplies from fire-ant-infested areas. CCTV, police, sniffer dogs, and border checks are all being used to catch truckies illegally hauling material that could be contaminated with the ants. The NSW Government said it is taking "strong steps" to attack the fire ant threat, including increasing funding from $15 million to $95 million. 'Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and we need everyone working together to manage the threat of fire ants," Moriarty said in a press release. Tweed residents should call the helpline on 1800 680 244 or submit an online form to report any suspected fire ants. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
News.com.au
04-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
NSW Labor back controversial plan to expand access for hunters
The NSW government will back a controversial proposal to expand access for hunters to Crown land and pave the way bounty killings of feral animals. The Conservation Hunting Bill was first tabled by NSW Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers MLC MLC Rod Borsak earlier this year. Proponents say the Bill will incorporate hunters into nature conservation and pest control by opening up state-owned land to hunters. It would also pave the way for bounty killings of feral animals, and seeks to establish a new hunting minister and authority, and allow hunters access to suppressors. Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty said Labor would back the proposal, but admitted it had 'some issues' that would be addressed through amendments. 'In 2023, 24 hunters removed over 17,500 pest animals from public land,' Ms Moriarty said. 'Recreational hunting is, of course, not a cure-all for pest management, but it is a practical way to extend the reach of government funded programs.' Ms Moriarty acknowledged there were 'strong and differing views' about recreational hunting, but that the Bill was a 'sensible middle ground'. Under the Bill, some Crown land would automatically be designated for hunting, though Ms Moriarty said it would not create an automatic entitlement to hunting there. Ms Moriarty said the Bill was not a return of the Game Council – shuttered in 2013 – and that key rights and regulations would remain within the government. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said local land services and other land managers were currently 'spending millions' to deal with feral species. 'This is incredibly important. We need to protect diversity. We need to protect conservation areas, communities and neighbouring primary production,' she said. In 2023-24, the National Park Service removed more than 55,000 animals through aerial shooting, mustering, ground shooting and trapping, Ms Sharpe said. Some 24,000 hunters are licensed in NSW, and the Bill proposes giving them access to a new conservation hunting licence. With oversight from a new conservation hunting authority, it also seeks to open up hunting in private and declared public lands, excluding national park. The Bill was not opposed by the Opposition – again, with amendments. Nationals MLC Sarah Mitchell described the Bill as a 'reforming of the former Game Council under another name'. She noted it would ensure regulatory compliance 'which was one of the major issues with the Game Council'. 'It will be maintained within the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, which is something that we think is very important,' she said. The Bill does not specifically mention bounty killings and instead paves the way for their introduction following an administrative process. Ms Mitchell said the issues of bounties was an important one, but that the government had been 'reluctant' to introduce them. Also describing the Bill as a return of the Game Council, Greens MLC Sue Higginson said it was a 'Labor zombie'. 'A reminder of morally deficient political mistakes of more than 20 years ago,' Ms Higginson. 'What we are seeing is the reconstitution of the former Game Council of NSW, a statutory body abolished in disgrace in 2013 following a devastating independent review.' Ms Higginson described the Bill as a 'political tradeoff' and a 'transactional arrangement' designed to shore up support. The Greens have argued using hunters for controlling invasive species has no 'scientific backing' and that the Bill would set the state backward. Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst told the Council 'recreational hunting is not about conservation' and that she had received threats over her views. She said she had received messages including 'Can someone kill you?' and 'This c**t needs a bullet'. 'This Bill is a betrayal of animals, of public trust and of the values the NSW government was elected to uphold,' Ms Hurst said. Labor, the Liberals and the Greens opposed provisions surrounding the use of silencers, as well as the designation of a Minister for Hunting and Fishing. The bill has stirred controversy since Premier Chris Minns first floated the idea of introducing bounty killings for feral animals. The Invasive Species Council called on the NSW government to not support the Bill on Wednesday morning. Chief executive Jack Gough said the Bill would in effect bring back the 'disgraced' former NSW Game Council, which was dissolved in 2013. 'Recreational hunting is not conservation,' he said. 'It rarely delivers environmental benefits, and in many cases actively obstructs professional control programs. 'You don't reduce invasive species by doing a bit of weekend pig shooting. 'You need coordinated, expert-led programs like aerial shooting, baiting and trapping – the kind of methods the Shooters Party oppose.' Mr Gough said the Bill would increase the influence of hunters over the management of state forests and Crown land. Debate on the Bill will resume later this month.
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Australia airdrops supplies to farmers stranded by floods
Helicopters were airdropping animal feed on Sunday to farmers in Australia stranded by floods that have killed five and isolated tens of thousands in the country's southeast. Recovery was under way in the mid-north coast region of New South Wales state after days of flooding cut off towns, swept away livestock and destroyed homes. At least 10,000 properties may have been damaged in the floods, which were sparked by days of incessant rain, authorities estimate. The floodwaters "trashed" Dan Patch's house in rural Ghinni Ghinni near hard-hit Taree, and some cattle on the property have gone without food for days, he said. "It's the worst we've ever seen," Patch told Reuters. "It's the worst everybody's seen around this area." About 32,000 residents of Australia's most populous state remained isolated due to floodwaters that were slowly starting to recede, the state's Emergency Services posted on the X platform. "The New South Wales government is providing emergency fodder, veterinary care, management advice and aerial support for isolated stock," state Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said in a statement. It said 43 helicopter drops and around 130 drops by other means had provided "isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock". At their peak, the floods isolated around 50,000 people, submerging intersections and street signs in mid-north coast towns and covering cars up to their windshields, after fast-rising waters burst river banks. Five deaths have been linked to the floods, the latest a man in his 80s whose body was found at a flooded property about 50 km (30 miles) from Taree, police said. Taree sits along the Manning River more than 300 km (190 miles) north of the state capital, Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that conditions remained critical in flood-affected regions as clean-up efforts began. Australia has been hit with increasing extreme weather events that some experts say are the result of climate change. After droughts and devastating bushfires at the end of last decade, frequent floods have wreaked havoc since early 2021.
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Australian Authorities Airdrop Supplies to Farmers Stranded by Floods
Helicopters were being used on Sunday to drop animal feed to farmers in Australia's New South Wales state stranded by floods that have killed five and isolated tens of thousands in the country's southeast. Recovery is under way in the mid-north coast region of Australia's most populous state after days of flooding cut off towns, swept away livestock and destroyed homes, Reuters reported. At least 10,000 properties may have been damaged in the floods, which were sparked by days of incessant rain, authorities estimate. About 32,000 residents remained isolated due to floodwaters, which were slowly starting to recede, the state's Emergency Services posted on the X platform. "The New South Wales government is providing emergency fodder, veterinary care, management advice and aerial support for isolated stock," state Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said in a statement. It said 43 helicopter drops and around 130 drops by other means had provided "isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock". At their peak, the floods isolated around 50,000 people, submerging intersections and street signs in mid-north coast towns and covering cars up to their windshields, after fast-rising waters burst river banks. Five deaths have been linked to the floods, the latest a man in his 80s whose body was found at a flooded property about 50 km (30 miles) from Taree, one of the worst-hit towns, police said. Taree sits along the Manning River more than 300 km (190 miles) north of state capital Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that conditions remained critical in flood-affected regions of New South Wales, as clean-up efforts began. Australia has been hit with increasing extreme weather events that some experts say are the result of climate change. After droughts and devastating bushfires at the end of last decade, frequent floods have wreaked havoc since early 2021.
