Halt the Fire Ant Program - Support the Rights of Residents

Halt Fire Ant Eradication and Support Samford Valley Resident Arrested for Protecting Our Community

Defending Environmental Rights and Personal Freedoms

The Situation:

On 27 February 2025, a female resident of Samford Valley was arrested for allegedly ‘disobeying a direction/requirement of a police officer’. This individual stood firm against the indiscriminate use of mandated chemical pesticides for the treatment of fire ants on her private property—where no fire ants are present. Her courageous stance highlights the growing tension between government agencies and community members who are advocating for safer, more sustainable pest control methods.

Why This Matters:

Environmental Impact - The current National Fire Ant Eradication Program has been operational for over two decades, utilising chemical treatments that have raised significant environmental concerns. Official reports indicate high levels of contamination in local waterways and adverse effects on non-target species, including native ants and beneficial insects. Independent water tests have detected serious contamination of creeks, rivers, and waterways with pesticides that are highly toxic to aquatic life.

Community Rights - Residents are legally entitled to refuse chemical treatments on their properties under the QLD Biosecurity Act 2014, provided they have a 'reasonable excuse’. Despite this, there have been instances where authorities have used intimidation tactics to enforce compliance, even in areas where fire ants have not been detected. Police and biosecurity officers are arresting and fining residents to force chemical treatment on private property, even when there are no fire ants on their land.

Our Objective:

We are raising funds to support the legal defence of our fellow community member and to advocate for environmentally friendly and effective approaches to fire ant management. Your contributions will aid in challenging the current practices and promoting solutions that prioritise both ecological balance and public health.

How You Can Help:

1. Donate - Your financial support will assist in covering legal fees and raising awareness about the true impact of the current failed eradication methods.

2. Share - Spread the word about this campaign through social media, community groups, and personal networks to raise awareness and gather widespread support.

3. Engage - Stay informed about the issue, attend local meetings, and voice your concerns to local representatives to advocate for change.

Transparency and Accountability:

We are committed to full transparency. Regular updates will be provided on the allocation of funds and progress of legal proceedings. Our goal is to ensure that every dollar contributed is used effectively to protect our community and environment.

Join Us in Making a Difference

This is more than a local issue; it impacts all residents in Southeast Queensland and beyond, as this is a national program and reflects a broader struggle for environmental justice and personal freedoms. Together, we can support our neighbour and work towards sustainable solutions that respect both nature and individual rights.

Key Facts:

1. Program Duration and Cost — The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has been running for 23 years and has spent over $1 billion, yet the fire ant infestation is now 20 times worse. The program has failed to contain and failed to eradicate fire ants after more than two decades.

2. Scale of Pesticide Use — The program plans to prophylactically treat 850,000 hectares of land with chemical pesticides, posing long-term risks to vast ecosystems and human health.

3. Lack of Environmental Risk Assessments — There are no comprehensive environmental risk assessments on the chemicals being used, despite evidence of harm to people, pets, and wildlife. Some of the chemicals used in the program, such as Pyriproxyfen, have been banned or restricted in other countries due to environmental and health concerns.

4. Admission of Mistakes — The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has conceded that mistakes have been made and admitted to contaminating waterways in Samford Valley, highlighting its lack of environmental safeguards and accountability.

5. Specific Legal Action Goals — The funds raised will go towards hiring a lawyer to:

— Challenge the legality of the program’s enforcement methods.

— Protect residents' rights and property against forced treatments.

— Advocate for a more sustainable and effective fire ant management approach.

6. Emphasis on Community Involvement — Residents have been left without a voice or a choice in decisions affecting their health and environment, as Biosecurity Queensland enforces aggressive measures, including police involvement, arrests, and fines. The campaign is about building a supportive community to stay informed and take collective action.

7. Fire Ant Management Alternatives — Alternative solutions for eradicating and managing fire ants are available and successfully used worldwide—yet our government has ignored safer solutions. The campaign supports using better, more sustainable ways to address the fire ant issue that does not rely solely on broad-scale pesticide use.

Act Now to Stop This Harmful Program!

Your support can make a real difference in holding government agencies accountable, protecting residents' rights, and advocating for a safe, sustainable solution.

Donate today to support legal action.

Share this campaign to spread the word.

Join the community to advocate for a safer, healthier future for all Queenslanders.