General News
28 April, 2026
‘Horror film scene’ deleted
TWO of the worst yellow crazy ant sites in the Far North have been declared free of the pests, as well as 79ha in suburbia at Bentley Park.
The Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) has declared a further 180 hectares free of yellow crazy ants, including Bentley Park, as well as Sandy Creek at Kamerunga (42ha) and Bana Gindarja Creek at Edmonton (64ha). The latter have been described as two of the most complex and persistent infestations sites.
WTMA executive director Scott Buchanan said of the recent eradication success, sites like Sandy Creek were really challenging to work on and hard to access, where weeds such as guinea grass would get up to 3m in height. “The infestations here were really persistent and back in 2014, when we first discovered them, were so bad in places, it looked like a scene out of a horror film,” he said.
“This is another significant achievement for WTMA, but more importantly, a positive outcome for residents and the wider community, whose continued support ensures our homes and businesses remain ant-free.
“This enables us to maintain a buffer to protect the Wet Tropics World Heritage area – the best back yard in the world,” he said.
WTMA manages the yellow crazy ant eradication program to combat the spread of the highly invasive species. The program is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program and the Queensland Government.
Federal Environment Minister Water Murray Watt said yellow crazy ants posed a serious threat to native species and the World Heritage values of the Wet Tropics.
“Yellow crazy ants destroy ecosystems, kill invertebrates and small animals and they can have serious economic impacts on tourism and agriculture if not controlled,” he said.
Federal Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said the eradication of an invasive species in an area was almost unheard of and was testament to the WTMA team. “Yellow crazy ants may be small creatures, but they can have devastating impacts on wildlife, agriculture and even the tourism industry,” he said.
So far a total 1255ha of 2025ha sites have been cleared.
Call 4241 0525 or email yca@wtma.qld.gov.au to report suspicious ants.
