Fire Ant Biosecurity Zones Expand to Sunshine Coast: What It Means for Your Project
From 20 January 2026: 5km rolling biosecurity zones
Zones now update monthly, so a site that is unrestricted today could be inside a zone next month.
A Shifting Biosecurity Landscape
Fire ant biosecurity zones in South East Queensland have undergone a significant restructure in early 2026, and the changes have implications for anyone involved in construction, earthworks, landscaping, or land clearing across the region.
From 20 January 2026, fire ant biosecurity zones shifted to a 5-kilometre radius model centred on confirmed detections. Critically, these zones are now updated monthly, meaning the boundaries are dynamic - an area that is unrestricted today could be within a biosecurity zone next month.
Sunshine Coast: A New Front
In February 2026, fire ants were detected for the first time outside the previously known infestation footprint, at North Arm on the Sunshine Coast. This detection extended the biosecurity zone into the Sunshine Coast local government area for the first time, affecting projects and operations in the region.
The detection at North Arm is a reminder that fire ant spread is not contained to established areas. The rolling zone model means that new detections anywhere in SEQ could bring new areas under biosecurity restrictions at short notice.
The key shift: biosecurity compliance is no longer a one-off check. With zones recalculated every month, a site outside a zone today carries no guarantee it will stay outside next month.
Who Needs to Comply
If you are within a fire ant biosecurity zone and handle any of the following materials, you are subject to movement restrictions and may need a biosecurity instrument permit:
Restricted materials inside a biosecurity zone
Handling any of these may trigger movement restrictions and a biosecurity instrument permit.
| Material | Where it shows up |
|---|---|
| Soil and fill | Including topsoil, subsoil, and any earth moved during excavation or grading |
| Hay, straw, and mulch | Common in landscaping and erosion control |
| Manure and compost | Used in landscaping and rehabilitation works |
| Quarry products | Gravel, sand, and aggregate that may contain soil |
| Turf | Including turf rolls and turf on pallets |
| Potted plants | Including nursery stock with soil or growing media |
This affects a wide range of construction and development activities, from major earthworks and subdivision to residential landscaping and site rehabilitation.
The Monthly Update Model
The shift to monthly zone updates is perhaps the most operationally challenging aspect of the new system. Under the previous model, biosecurity zones were relatively static and developers could plan around them with reasonable certainty.
Under the new model:
- Zones are recalculated each month based on the latest detection data
- New detections create new 5km radius zones
- Existing zones may expand, contract, or remain stable depending on treatment outcomes
- There is no guarantee that a site outside a zone this month will remain outside next month
For projects with extended timelines - which describes most development projects - this means biosecurity compliance needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis, not just assessed once at the start of the project.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Biosecurity obligations under Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014 carry significant penalties. Moving restricted materials out of a biosecurity zone without proper authorisation can result in fines and enforcement action. Beyond the legal consequences, non-compliance risks spreading fire ants to new areas, which can trigger further restrictions affecting the broader industry.
What Developers and Contractors Should Do
Before any soil or material movement, check the current fire ant biosecurity zone map at fireants.org.au. Remember that these maps update monthly.
A fire ant management plan is essential for any project within or near biosecurity zones, addressing material movement, site hygiene, detection protocols, and compliance procedures.
A biosecurity risk assessment can identify the specific risks your project faces and the measures needed to manage them.
Given the monthly zone updates, factor biosecurity compliance checks into your regular project management processes, not just at project commencement.
Ensure all contractors handling soil, fill, mulch, or plant material are aware of their obligations. The principal contractor may bear responsibility for compliance across the site.
SEQ-Wide Vigilance Required
The North Arm detection demonstrates that fire ants can appear in areas previously considered outside the risk zone. Projects in Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast, and other SEQ areas should treat fire ant biosecurity as an ongoing operational consideration.
Further Reading
- National Fire Ant Eradication Program - Biosecurity Zone Changes
- National Fire Ant Eradication Program - New Detection at Sunshine Coast
Biosecurity zone boundaries change monthly. Always check the current zone map before moving restricted materials. This article reflects information available as of May 2026.
Need advice on how these changes affect your project? Request a quote or call (07) 3018 7538.