King Charles has sent a message to the people of Queensland, sharing his and his wife Queen Camilla’s concern and admiration following recent weather events.

As well as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily crossing over north Queensland, including the Burdekin, people across Queensland have faced Tropical Cyclone Jasper, southeast Queensland storms on Christmas night and Boxing Day and further rain in the state’s south.

Governor-General David Hurley shared the message from the King on Monday as he and his wife Linda Hurley visited Tamborine Mountain, the Gold Coast, Samford, Murrumba, and Caboolture earlier in the week.

“My wife and I have been deeply concerned by the devastating impacts of recent weather events across Queensland,” the King shared in his message.

“The destructive fires of late last year, and the more recent tropical cyclones which have brought torrential rain and widespread flooding have, I know, brought unbearable pressures on the lives of those in many communities.

“We are full of admiration for those brave rescue crews and all the others who help protect life and defend property in difficult and often very dangerous circumstances.  

“That spirit of mateship and helping those in need reflects the very best of Australian characteristics and makes us so proud of the resilience and determination of the Australian people.

“Our constant thoughts and sympathy are with all Queenslanders who are being continually impacted by these events.”

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The Burdekin Industry Breakfast is back for 2024 and starting with a bang, welcoming two guest speakers to illuminate the morning event.

The first speaker will be Rhian Aguirre, the Senior Manager of Operations and Maintenance of Ark Energy Corporation.

Established in 2021, Ark Energy has become a leader in Australian renewable energy company specialising in wind, solar, and hydrogen, and is dedicated to the decarbonisation of the energy supply of their parent company, Korea Zinc Co.

Rhian will discuss Ark Energy’s goals, completed projects and future plans for the company.

The second speaker will be Ranee Crosby, CEO of Port of Townsville.

The Port of Townsville is Northern Australia’s largest container and vehicle port, and the country’s leader is export of copper, zinc, lead, sugar, fertiliser, and molasses.

Ranee will provide an overview of the Port, of current and future projects, and of how the Port influences and supports the Burdekin region.

The Burdekin Industry Breakfast is a highly-popular event, with tickets expected to sell out.

Get your ticket today!

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WHAT: Burdekin Industry Breakfast
WHERE: Burdekin Theatre
WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, from 7am to 8.30am

TICKETS: $15 each and include breakfast
REGISTER: https://www.trybooking.com/CPAPS

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Attendees of the last Industry Breakfast for 2023. Photo supplied

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This past week was spent down in Canberra, holding the Albanese Labor Government to account, fighting for the issues that matter to our communities, and ensuring your voice was heard loud and clear in our nation’s capital.

Beginning this week was a solemn ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, paying my respects to the heroic servicemen and women who have laid down their lives for our nation. The Australian War Memorial is a constant reverent reminder of the importance of the decisions we make in Parliament every day.

Sadly, as we work through this sitting week, I have been utterly disappointed to see the web of lies the Albanese Labor Government are spinning, such as with their Stage Three Tax Cuts backflip. They have proven time and time again their focus is not on everyday Aussies, with no plan to ease the cost-of-living crisis, with more red tape bearing over our farmers’ and fishers’ futures, and with skyrocketing energy prices from Labor’s reckless race to renewables.

Only from pressure by the Coalition, we welcome the announcement of an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) supermarket inquiry into price gouging. I am looking to seeing some fairness for farmers and cattle producers, and most importantly for you at the checkout.

With the recent weather events, I also want to make sure all impacted locals know of the help currently available. The Federal and State Governments have announced three separate grants for Burdekin Shire Council and Townsville City Council residents: the Emergency Hardship Assistance Grants, the Essential Services Hardship Assistance Scheme, and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grants. Please search www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or www.disasterassist.gov.au for more information and how to apply.

Thanks for reading folks, and please contact me at Andrew.Willcox.MP@aph.gov.au or phone my office on 4944 0662 if there is anything I can do to best work for you.

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Andrew Willcox

Member for Dawson

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National television audiences were given insight into the charm of the Burdekin last week as ABC aired an episode of ‘Back Roads’ that was filmed across the region in 2023.

The host of the Australian observational documentary series, Heather Ewart, travelled to Home Hill in May last year to film an episode centred around the sugar cane industry and the Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival.

“Sugar cane is king in this part of the world,” Heather said.

“It’s the reason the town of Home Hill exists, a community that grew up around a sugar cane mill.”

The episode opened with primary school teacher Nikki Vass giving Heather a tour through the town.

“It’s certainly changed a lot since when I was a young child,” Nikki said.

“All of these shops used to be full, with things like furniture stores, hardware shops and my favourite, the material shop.”

Heather then witnessed authentic Burdekin experiences in a cane fire and a cane cutting competition at the festival.

Delving into the region’s cane cutting history and Italian heritage, she then interviewed Alfie Musumeci on his family’s ties to the region before joining Desley Musumeci and her monthly cooking group, Pandemonium.

“Some of them are recipes that our grandmothers had and if they’re not passed on to the future generation, those recipes are going to die with them, so we have to pass our knowledge onto younger people to learn how to do it,” said Pandemonium group member Teresa Scuderi.

Then diving further back into the Burdekin’s past, Heather met Jim Gaston, a Birri Gubba man and Gudjuda Ranger who shared the work of the Gudjuda Reference Group, including cultural tours and “turtle rodeo”, the capturing and tagging of sea turtles off the coast of Bowen.

“When I first went to school, it was always Captain Cook, and when I went to high school, they were teaching us French, and I said, ‘Why can’t we be taught our language?’ and I got the cane for that,” Jim said.

“That made me worse in wanting to get up there and promote our culture and who we are.”

Trekking north to Ayr, the host sat down with Les Henaway and his wife Denese, where Les shared the history of his grandfather who was a victim of ‘Black Birding’, a practice that brought South Sea Islanders to work in the cane fields through coercion and force.

Ms Ewart then returned to the Vass family, where Chris shared his poem ‘Family’ and Gloria prepared the family’s weekly feast.

“I just really believe that this is something we have to do to keep the contact and also make them realise, especially the little one’s coming through, how important it is to have family connections,” Gloria said.

Joining the Vass family for lunch, Heather concluded that Home Hill is about more than sugar cane.

“No matter what their cultures or where people have come from, they’ve laid down firm roots here, and what’s at the heart of it for all of them is family,” she said.

The episode of ‘Back Roads’, titled ‘Home Hill’, is available to stream at iview.abc.net.au.

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Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation Senior Ranger Jim Gaston and Back Roads Host Heather Ewart. Photo supplied: ABCTv

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Fast Facts:

Rehoming Fee: $195

DOB: 1/5/2022

Sex: Female

Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Kid Friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: yes

Other Cats: Yes, but prefers independence

Indoors/outdoors: Indoors

This beautiful lady is a cuddle machine, simple-natured and sure to be adored by her human.

Tootsi loves being a little shadow, following her human around. She is quick to play and loves her toys.

While she is happy to share her space, she also loves being an independent feline, and having full reign of the household.

Tootsi is desexed, microchipped, up to date on her vaccinations, and has been flea, tick, and worm treated. She is available now for a meet and greet. Submit an animal enquiry form to register your interest: https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html.

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Three individuals have been arrested in relation to a series of break and enters in the Burdekin last week.

Police allege on January 25, six businesses were targeted in a series of break and enters offences including an electrical store on Queen Street, a bottle shop in Drysdale Street, a service station on Eighth Ave, a steel fabrication company on Breen Street, a tyre shop on Bruce Highway, and a convenience store on Chippendale Street.

Later that day, an 18-year-old man attended the Ayr Police Station, and was charged with multiple offences, including 13 counts of enter premises and commit indictable offences, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and arson of a motor vehicle, and one count of enter dwelling.

On January 26, police located and arrested a 15-year-old male in Home Hill, and charged with 16 offences, including 10 counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, one count of arson and enter dwelling.

On January 30, a 14-year-old male was charged with nine offences including six counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence, two counts of unlawful use of a motor chicle and one count of arson of motor vehicle, that occurred around January 25.

The 14-year-old will be dealt with under the provision of the Youth Justice Act.

Investigations are ongoing.

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More than 50 business owners and residents gathered outside the Ayr Police Station last week to rally against spiralling youth crime, which many believe is due to insufficient police presence in the region.

A petition has now been launched and Member for Burdekin Dale Last MP will soon be taking to the floor of parliament to raise awareness for the community’s frustration about the surging crime rates.

Mr Last said the sheer number of frustrated community members at the event demonstrated the community was not prepared to stand by while their homes and businesses were being ransacked by young thugs.

“This community has taken a stand and said enough is enough and I plan on making sure the state government hears the Burdekin’s frustrations loud and clear on the floor of parliament,” Mr Last said.

“Just because this community has a smaller population than a bigger south-east city does not mean they should be left without the necessary police resources needed to combat the spike in crime and this petition will be another call for more to be done.”

Mr Last is concerned community safety was being left in the hands of residents and wants the minister to “explain to the residents and business owners in the Burdekin why they should be left conducting patrols after hours just to ensure their cars are still in the driveway the next morning and their businesses haven’t been smashed.”

“The reality is that there were 322 less police officers in Queensland between July 2022 and December last year and that is not good enough,” he said.

The petition, launching this week, appeals for more plain clothes officers and government funded security patrols in the Burdekin and will be available both online and in paper to sign.

“At a time when everyone is feeling the impacts of cost of living, victims of crime are being left out of pocket for repairs and any avenue to deter young offenders from returning again,” Mr Last said.

“I certainly won’t stand by and let those in the south east turn a blind eye because these offences aren’t occurring in inner city Brisbane.”

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Many people today own a caravan and travel around the countryside. Just imagine the trials and tribulations of caravanning on Queensland Roads in 1928 and 1929. Thomas John McMahon, a journalist and photographer was working for the Queenslander newspaper in 1928 -1929.  He travelled in a caravan named Queenslander which was on a truck from Brisbane to North Queensland. The journey began on May 2, 1928 in Brisbane, travelling through Ipswich, Esk, Nanango, through to Maryborough and up the coast through Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Home Hill, and Ayr. He arrived in the Burdekin in December 1928. Thomas had with him his wife and an occasional man who was his mechanic and helper. They camped in tents. The caravan was his office and his darkroom where he developed his photos, as well as carrying his goods and chattels which he needed.

According to Thomas, Home Hill was not yet on a government map even though it had been existence for over fifteen years. Travelling by train was easy from Bowen to Townsville but getting to Home Hill from Bowen by road was another matter. It took seven and a half hours to travel over the 70 miles between Bowen and Home Hill. The road was very difficult to negotiate as were the gullies, sandy bottom creeks and two rivers with their steep slanted banks. The black soil was greasy because of the wet. It was with great difficulty that the caravan navigated the road. Home Hill became a welcoming town to him as the petrol tank of the truck needed repairing which was carried out by Jack Reid, the plumber.

The land in the town section had increased from £50 to £100 from 1913 to over a £1,000.00 in 1929. Farm land had risen in value. The towns of Ayr and Home Hill are blessed with underground water. From their camp in Home Hill, the reporter and his wife sighted twenty-six windmills. The government provided an Irrigation Scheme for the sugar-cane farms of the district. Thomas interviewed Mr Harry Ramsden, late of Charters Towers. Mr Harry Ramsden was known as “The Cyanide King” because of his working with gold in Charters Towers. He took photos of the new swimming pool at Home Hill Rural School, the Power Irrigation House, and irrigating the sugar-cane. He and his wife were impressed with the ladies of the local CWA.  

A week later, after the petrol tank had been repaired, his vehicle was ready to tackle the crossing of the Burdekin River to Ayr. The traffic bridge was not built at this stage. The Burdekin River rose so quickly the reporter had to cross the river by train with his caravan. Even this was hazardous as the water was still rising whilst the train crossed the Burdekin Railway Bridge.

Thomas McMahon detrained his caravan at Ayr.  The sugar cane crushing season was nearing completion. He took photos of our worthy councillors, The Ayr Shire Chambers, Queensland National Bank, the War Memorial and a few more of the main street of Ayr and The Sacred Heart Church.  He and his wife then left for Giru and  Townsville where they spent Christmas. After Townsville, the Queenslander proceeded to Charters Towers in February 1929. The journey from Townsville to Ravenswood Junction (now Mingela, also known as Cunningham’s Waterholes) took nine hours to negotiate the terrain. Caravanning today is not quite so bad.

Reference is from TROVE  Queenslander papers December 1928 through to February 1929.

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Contributed by Glenis Cislowski

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homas McMahon’s photo of the Home Hill Power House in 1928

Queen Street, Ayr in 1928, as captured by Thomas McMahon

Photos supplied

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Did you know that the Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) plays a significant role in Burdekin Community Recovery?

In my role as BCA’s CEO, I’m the Burdekin Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Welfare Coordinator and member of the Townsville District Human and Social Recovery and Resilience Committee.

The team and I help to provide Human and Social community recovery planning and operations.  We work with council, state government agencies, other service providers and community groups to provide recovery assistance to affected members of the community during and post a disaster event.  This may include emotional, social and physical well-being services.  

Both the BCA Support Centre (130 Queen St, Ayr) and Burdekin Centre for Rural Health (12a Chippendale St, Ayr) are designated Burdekin Community Recovery Hubs, by local and state government. Community Recovery Hubs are a place where residents who are experiencing hardship can apply for grants and obtain emotional and wellbeing support.

I’m pleased to say that we were able to assist the community by making the BCA Support Centre available for the Burdekin Shire Community Recovery pop-up hub this week.

People suffering hardship or requiring emotional support as a result of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, were able to visit the Support Centre. They were assisted by State Government Community Recovery workers, Red Cross personnel and BCA staff. The ways in which they were supported included emotional support, food relief, referrals to other services and government financial assistance to help them recover from the effects of the cyclone.

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Debra Cochran

Chief Executive Officer

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BCA staff Rebecca Grogan, Aimee Cursio, Jennine Brown and Melissa Swindley welcomed State Government Community Recovery worker Tammie Harrison (second from left) last week

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The start of 2024 has been a bit of a wild ride for all of us. We have come out from ex-TC Kirrily with a few dents and, hopefully, many lessons learnt. The team has noticed some community members needing a little extra support with a variety of concerns:

   • The rising cost of living.

   • Assistance to fill out forms and access much-needed services.

   • Personal Hardship grants following TC Kirrily.

   • Assistance with cleaning up yards/trees following TC Kirrily.

   • Assistance with sandbagging properties in preparation for TC Kirrily.

These are just a few of our community members' concerns.

Some of the above assistance has been met through Emergency Relief Funding, local community organisations or State organisations such as the State Emergency Service. However, not all assistance can be provided or is eligible to be supplied from these organisations.

On the Burdekin community Facebook group pages, some community-minded individuals offered help for free or a low cost to pick up green waste from yards and footpaths to take to the local transfer stations. To someone who is without transport or is physically unable to do these tasks, this kind of help is invaluable.

The team at the Centre would like to talk to interested people who are keen to establish a Compassionate Community network that can help build support systems with fellow community members.

Compassionate Communities are generally formed to provide community support around death, dying and grief. We recognise that, as a community, there is still work to do in this area. However, we feel compassion could be extended to other areas of concern for our community.  

This is a call to action – who out there has some ideas and time and would like to impact our community positively?  

The Team

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Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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Did you know that the Burdekin Shire Council offers grants for excellence in sports and cultural activities?

These grants are designed to support and encourage local residents who have achieved outstanding results in their chosen field of endeavour. Whether you are an athlete, a musician, an artist, a writer, or a performer, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $500 to help you pursue your passion and represent the Burdekin region.

The grants are open to individuals and groups who have been selected to participate in state, national, or international events or competitions.

To apply, you need to fill out an application form and provide evidence of your achievements and selection. You also need to demonstrate how your participation will benefit the Burdekin community and promote its profile. Applications are accepted throughout the year and assessed on a quarterly basis. For more information or to get an application form phone Council’s Customer Service Centre on 4783 9800.

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The Burdekin Potters have enhanced the footprint of their Plantation Park Clubhouse, with a permanent roof and part wall structure, through a generous grant from the Haughton Sustainable Communities Fund.

The new all-weather roof has replaced a shade sail, which will now allow club members to carry out glazing of pottery pieces under permanent shade and protection from both the sun and rain.

Until the erection of this cover, members were unable to utilize the space during rain, or early morning sun.

It will also be of great benefit when the club holds its’ annual Raku firing during the cooler months of the year.

It will provide shade over our gas kiln during this firing, making it a lot more bearable, as raku firings are an extremely hot process.  

Obtaining this grant will now see the undercover space used to its full capacity, thus allowing more room for workshops and outside shade for club activities.

A big thank you must go to the Haughton Sustainable Communities Fund for continuing to support local Not-for-profit clubs in their endeavor to offer more creative options to local community members.

Contributed by Debra Ferraris

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L-R Pottery members Debbie, Takemi, Tania and Donna take advantage of the shade to get some glazing done. Photo supplied: Debra Ferraris

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In alignment with the organisation’s growth and vision, Queensland Cane Agriculture & Renewables (QCAR) hosted its first strategic planning workshop last week, inviting directors, future directors, members and other stakeholders to discuss QCAR’s role in the sugarcane industry.

Approximately 25 attendees from the Burdekin, Herbert and Mackay regions gathered in Townsville to talk through the company’s strategic goals and priorities, strategies, organisational structure and governance arrangements, laying a robust foundation for the organisation’s future.

“We aimed to establish the current landscape of the industry and how QCAR intends to capture opportunities within it,” QCAR Chief Strategy Officer Michael Kern said.

“The workshop focused heavily on the evolution of QCAR, highlighting its accomplishments thus far, critically assessing existing arrangement and operations, and clearly articulating our current value proposition to those who have yet to join QCAR.”

During the two-day workshop, participants engaged in sessions covering strategy, renewables, resources and policy.

“We aimed to collaborate with all stakeholders to discern their expectations for desired outcomes from a sugarcane farming representative organisation,” Mr Kern said.

“We aimed to collaborate with all stakeholders to discern their expectations for desired outcomes from a representative organisation in sugarcane farming,” Mr Kern said.

“The discussions delved into the expansion of QCAR’s role into ‘Renewables’, exploring diverse opportunities beyond sugar production, such as bioenergy, biofuels, food, plastics, hydrogen and electricity.”

Mr Kern underscored the need for swift action, saying, “If we don’t move quickly to take on these opportunities and use our base product of sugarcane to develop these energies, we’ll miss the boat.

“It offered a significant opportunity for collective brainstorming, fostering an environment where all participants thoughtfully shared their ideas.

“Following this, detailed discussions delved into the critical aspects of resources and budgets.

“Subsequently, the workshop shifted its focus to explore potential enhancements in QCAR’s organisational structure, the goal to strengthen the organisation’s role in providing on-the-ground support.”

Mr Kern expressed the importance of refining policies and governance to effectively represent members.

Key strategic outcomes from the workshop will be fine-tuned in QCAR’s monthly meetings, paving the way for a comprehensive strategic plan.

Mr Kern acknowledged the challenges ahead stating, “The challenge now is to prepare a strategic plan for the board’s approval, consult with our members, and operationalise it and execute it in a timely manner.”

Mr Kern shared his excitement at the vast potential and opportunities for QCAR and its members in diversifying the sugarcane industry.

“The sugarcane industry has been traditionally used to produce sugar, but there is so much more potential out there,” he said.

“If we don’t move quickly to take on these opportunities and use our base product of sugarcane to develop these energies, we’ll miss the boat.

“QCAR is steadfast in leading innovation and progress within the sugarcane industry.

“With deep insights into the industry’s ever-evolving landscape, QCAR confidently pioneers the way forward, ensuring sustainable growth and success.

“QCAR acknowledges its crucial role in bolstering Australia’s economy, harnessing the rich resources of soil, sunlight and water to cultivate a robust and resilient economic environment.”

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It is officially barramundi season, and avid fishers from around the region are fine-tuning their fishing tackle, filling their eskies with ice, and heading out for some action-packed days on the water.

Kicking off last week on February 1, barra fishing is widely known as one of Australia’s best native fishing sports, great fun both recreationally and competitively.

Top Barra Fishing Tips For Beginners:

   • Dawn and Dusk are the best times to go barra fishing in north Queensland

   •  Barra can grow to large sizes, so its best to have at least a 20 pound line

   • When casting, try your hand at deep diving lures, particularly around existing structures, like timber and rocks in the water

   • Try using large 6 – 8 inch lures of barra

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Find The Best Barra Spots

The Burdekin River

A coastal river stemming from the Seaview Range and leading to Upstart Bay, the Burdekin River is almost 900-kilometres in length and home to thousands of barramundi. Running through Home Hill and Ayr, the Burdekin River can be accessed at many convenient locations.

Groper Creek

Groper Creek is a laid-back area, where visitors can sit back and relax, take their tinnie or boat out on the water and cast a line. Often boasted as the best fishing spot in the Burdekin, Groper Creek’s boat ramp offers access to the Burdekin River, Wallace Creek and many offshore fishing locations. Groper Creek is also great for simple onshore fishing from the jetty, with the creek often well stocked with barramundi.

Lake Proserpine

If you head two hours south, Lake Proserpine provides a unique opportunity for barra fishing.

Renowned across Australia as one of the best places to catch a one-metre-plus bara, the Lake is replenished with over 1 million barramundis annually. Lake Proserpine boasts many facilities, including a newly revitalised campground, waterside bush camping sites, public toilets and showers, designated fire pits and updated picnic facilities. With easy access to the boat ramp and three new fishing pontoons, your lakeside getaway has never been easier!

Other Well-Known Spots:

   • The Haughton River is famous for its barramundi but it also delivers catches of whiting and flathead, grunter, mangrove jack and bream.

   • Barramundi Creek (also known as Morris Creek) is situated 43.6km from Ayr and has access to Bowling Green Bay.

   • Ocean Creek Boat Ramp can be a great spot to chase barramundi, mangrove jack and mud crab and located 13km north of Ayr.

   • Plantation Creek Boat Ramp delivers catches of whiting, bream, and flathead. The boat ramp is located 13km from Ayr.

   • Kierle’s Landing provides direct access to the Burdekin River although it is quite difficult to launch a boat from here. Kierle’s Landing is located 18.6km from Ayr.

   • Wallace Creek is located 20.2km from Home Hill 

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A national commitment to eradicate one of the world’s worst invasive species, the red imported fire ant (RIFA), has been reinforced with further confirmation of funding to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.

The Australian, Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria governments have now all locked in funding to deliver the four-year response plan, with Western Australia confirming funding for two years.

These commitments maintain important momentum of the national eradication effort, endorsed by all jurisdictions through the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting.

Since the first detection in 2001 in south-east Queensland, the Australian Government along with all states and territories, have been committed to the eradication of RIFA.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the national commitment to this biosecurity response was a critical step towards eradication of RIFA.

“The Federal Government has locked in a record funding commitment of $296 million over the next four years as its contribution to the eradication program,” said Minister Watt.

“Eradicating fire ants is not an easy task – many countries have tried and failed, but we have been largely successful in containing their spread.

“Without the 20-plus year eradication program, led by the Queensland Government, RIFA would likely have spread from south-east Queensland north to Bowen, west to Longreach and as far south as Canberra.

“The funding will see the 2023-27 Response Plan, worth a total of $592.8 million, deliver stronger containment and more aggressive treatment, demanding a more rapid scale-up of effort across a broader operational area and eventual eradication.

“The plan uses the best available science, technology, and innovative approaches to deliver efficiencies and maximise resource allocation.”

This important confirmation of funding comes days after another RIFA detection in Ballina in northern New South Wales.

The nest was destroyed immediately and a control order was placed within a 5km radius of the site, restricting the movement of soil in the area.

Minister Watt said the Federal Government, in partnership with the Minns and Miles governments, was committed to halting the southward march of the fire ant.

“After a decade of cuts to biosecurity by the National Party, we had been fighting the fire ant with one hand tied behind our back.

“That’s why locking in this funding from all levels of government is so important.

"The Government believes we should use every weapon at our disposal to keep them at bay.”

RIFA is one of the world’s worst invasive ant pests, because of its harmful effects on people, agriculture, flora and fauna, infrastructure and recreational activities.

For more information, visit: https://www.fireants.org.au/

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