100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Dumping of green waste from fire ant zones on Coast limited to one site

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Region’s oldest recruitment agency acquired 

A prominent Sunshine Coast consulting agency has been acquired by a Sydney-based labour hiring company. Minyama-based EastCoast Human Resource Group has been absorbed by People More

Photo of the day: colourful arch

Craig A. Parker took this shot of a rainbow over Point Cartwright as Cyclone Alfred loomed. If you have a photo of the day offering, More

Tourism rocked by ‘tens of thousands’ of cyclone cancellations

The Sunshine Coast tourism industry has been dealt a hefty blow by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the sector, which More

Testing times for couple dedicated to famed festival

A couple who have been at the heart of the famous Woodford Folk Festival since it was established are facing the toughest time of More

Police seek information after serious motorbike crash

Police are appealing for public assistance following a serious traffic crash early Saturday morning. About 1.45am, a black 2018 Harley Davidson FXBRS Breakout was travelling More

Your say: e-transport injuries, Alfred clean-up and more

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and More

Biosecurity requirements have affected the disposal of green waste from two Sunshine Coast fire ant zones.

A biosecurity zone was declared on the southern end of the Coast after the discovery of fire ant nests in Nirimba in May last year and another zone was declared after nests were found on a North Arm building site in January.

Green waste from within both zones is being directed to the Caloundra Landfill and Recovery Centre, which is the only Sunshine Coast Council tip within a fire ant zone.

This means material collected by the council’s waste contractors from green waste bins within both zones is being delivered to the Caloundra tip only.

Householders and businesses wishing to dump green waste from within the zones themselves must also take it to the Caloundra tip.

Green waste from within the Sunshine Coast’s two fire ant zones can only go to the Caloundra tip. Picture: Shutterstock

For those in the zone that includes parts of North Arm, Verrierdale, Eerwah Vale, Cooloolabin, Bridges, Ninderry, Valdora and Yandina Creek, this means bypassing closer landfill sites at Nambour and Buderim to go to Caloundra.

A council spokesperson said green waste was considered a possible fire ant carrier.

“Under the Biosecurity Act and Biosecurity Regulation 2016, it is illegal to move a fire ant carrier (such as soil or green waste) from within a declared fire ant biosecurity zone to a place outside of the zone, unless you have a Biosecurity Instrument Permit or follow strict protocols,” the spokesperson said.

“To comply with regulations, green waste and soil from within fire ant biosecurity zones are only being accepted at the Caloundra Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre, which is also inside a fire ant biosecurity zone.

“Green bins from fire ant biosecurity zones are also only being transported to the Caloundra facility.

“Council has a comprehensive fire ant detection and preventative treatment regime for all soil and green waste at the Caloundra facility to stop fire ants from spreading beyond biosecurity zones.

“These measures also make mulch from this facility safe for public use.”

Two biosecurity zones exist on the Sunshine Coast after fire ants were found. Picture: Shutterstock

The spokesperson said a preventative substance was applied to the ground but not the green waste.

“Council treats the area around green waste on a regular schedule, rather than the material itself,” the spokesperson said.

“This treatment is an insect growth regulator, in accordance with biosecurity requirements and following safety protocols.

“Council also turns green waste on a strict regime. Together, this approach prevents fire ants that may be in the material from reproducing.”

Sunshine Coast News was referred to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program’s website for information about preventative products.

The website says insect growth regulator treatment contains five grams per kilogram of pyriproxyfen or S-methoprene.

“These ingredients are used in household and agricultural pest control products, such as fly spray and pet flea tablets,” it says.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share