Fire ant carrier material
Fire ants can quickly spread due to their ability to fly, travel underground, and float on waterways after wet weather events. Since fire ants were first detected in the Brisbane area in February 2001, they have rapidly spread across South-East Queensland.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has since made changes to the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 to help increase awareness and stop the spread of material containing fire ants.
Fire ant biosecurity zones
Fire ant biosecurity zones identify which suburbs have received fire ant eradication treatment and which have not.
Zone 1
Suburbs that have received or are scheduled to receive fire ant eradication treatment.
Zone 2
Suburbs yet to receive eradication treatment.
Check the Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone Map to see which suburbs are in a fire ant biosecurity zone.
Fire ant carrier material
- Clean fill
- Green waste
- Mulch
- Turf
- Potted plants
- Baled hay
- Straw or sugarcane
- Soil blends
- Compost
- Manure
Disposing of fire ant carrier material at MBRC Waste Facilities
Customers outside a fire ant biosecurity zone
MBRC waste facilities can accept fire ant carrier material from properties outside a biosecurity zone. Customers outside these zones do not need a biosecurity instrument permit. Customers outside Moreton Bay will need to pay the applicable non-resident/commercial fees for disposal.
Customers from Moreton Bay suburbs in zone 2
Moreton Bay residents and commercial businesses in zone 2 can only dispose of fire ant carrier material at:
- Dakabin Waste Management Facility
- Bunya Waste Management Facility
- Redcliffe Transfer Station (only accepts a limited amount of fire ant carrier materials as per the Redcliffe transfer station fees and charges. Redcliffe transfer station does not accept soil, clean fill, manure or soil blends).
As Redcliffe Transfer Station is in zone 2, a BIP is not required.
As Dakabin and Bunya Waste Management Facilities are located outside of zone 2, a biosecurity instrument permit (BIP-RIFA-20G003) is in place for people who live or operate in Moreton Bay suburbs located within zone 2. This permit allows you to move fire ant carrier materials to Dakabin or Bunya waste management facilities. For further information, refer to:
Customers from other local government areas in zone 2
If you are moving fire ant carrier material, you are legally required to follow the procedures outlined in the Biosecurity Regulation 2016 before moving it offsite.
These procedures help ensure you:
- reduce the risk of spreading fire ants
- and meet general biosecurity obligations.
Customers within zone 2 must have a valid BIP. The permit must have:
- person’s name
- source address
- and the valid MBRC Waste Facility.
Use the Fire ant compliance advice tool to check if you need to apply for a BIP.
For more information on fire ant carrier materials, refer to the Fire ants in Queensland website.
You can also call the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23.
Disposal / recycling options
Wheelie bins
These items cannot be disposed of in your wheelie bins.
Waste facilities
Notes and conditions
- Commercial operators with more than 10 cubic metres of clean fill must contact Council on (07) 3205 0555, minimum of one working day before disposal to provide information about the source location of the clean fill and to obtain approval.
- Review the site-specific accepted materials and the conditions of entry before attending a Council Waste Facility. Redcliffe transfer station does not accept soil, clean fill, manure or soil blends.