News and Reviews
Check out your backyard and keep the Tweed fire ant-free
Check out your backyard and keep the Tweed fire ant-free
The NSW Government, which is leading the charge against the invasive pest, announced last week it would spend an additional $80 million to protect the State from the insect.
First detected at the Port of Brisbane in 2001, red imported fire ants have recently been detected at Mermaid Waters in Queensland, just 11.5 km orth of the border. This followed the discovery of other nests at Mudgeeraba, Carrara, Worongary and Innisplain, all within 18 km of NSW.
A comprehensive awareness campaign is underway by the NSW DPI, with DPI representatives holding meetings with Tweed Shire Council’s field-based staff and Councillors in recent weeks, and a mailout to all Tweed households expected to be issued soon.
A comprehensive awareness campaign is underway to alert residents and businesses to be on alert for fire ants after they were discovered at Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast.
NSW DPI Invasive Species Biosecurity director Scott Charlton said fire ants cause serious social, economic and environmental harm and it was important to keep NSW and the Tweed free from the aggressive pest.
“Local residents and businesses should check their properties and if you see any sign of fire ants, please call NSW DPI on 1800 680 244 – finding them early and alerting us will increase the chances of successful eradication,” Mr Charlton said.
Tweed Shire Council Pest Management Supervisor Brian Falkner said the pest management team is preparing to tackle this invasive pest.
“Working closely with NSW DPI and Queensland authorities, we are running fire ant surveillance programs and preparing to respond if fire ants are found here,” Mr Falkner said.
“Educational support and training workshops are being provided to all field-based staff, so they know what to look out for on the ground.
“Local developers, builders, road crews and the agricultural industry should also be on alert. We cannot allow fire ants to take hold in the Tweed. We need your help to look out for this invasive species to help keep our community safe.”
Residents and businesses are urged to check their properties for any evidence of fire ants.
Fire ants can look similar to other ants but their nests are distinctive with mounds of loose, crumbly or fluffy looking soil with a honeycomb appearance, up to 40 centimetres high, with no obvious entrance holes.
Fire ants are dark reddish-brown with a darker black-brown abdomen and are from two to six millimetres long.
They are very aggressive and will swarm out of the nest if gently poked with a stick. If people are stung, the multiple stings fire ants inflict form white pustules within 48 hours.
Look for them in sunny open areas, including lawns, parks, school grounds, sports fields, golf courses, gardens, foreshores, paddocks, disturbed soil and roadsides.
Fire ants may be found in areas where hay, turf, mulch, soil, potted plants, sand, gravel, or agricultural machinery have been used or stored, especially goods from southeast Queensland.
They can spread up to 5 km by flying and can be moved in nesting material, which includes mulch, woodchips, compost, sand, gravel, soil, hay, other baled products, and even pot plants.
Anyone bringing these goods into NSW from Queensland should check if they came from areas within 5 km of a known fire ant infestation. Such goods are subject to strict entry conditions and must be accompanied by a certificate.
If you buy or bring these materials from Mermaid Waters, Mudgeeraba, Carrara, Worongary, Innisplain or the red imported fire ant biosecurity zone in southeast Queensland, you should check your requirements online at red imported fire ants (nsw.gov.au).
Anyone who finds signs of fire ants on their properties is urged to call the NSW DPI on 1800 680 244.
$3.8 MILLION TO HELP NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY HEAL AFTER 2022 FLOODS
RESEARCHERS at Southern Cross University have been awarded more than $3.8 million to help Northern Rivers locals affected by the devastating 2022 floods.
In a world-first approach, the researchers will implement a stepped care model to support over 200 people left with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the floods.
To date, there have been very few clinical trials focused on recovery from disaster-related PTSD. None have focused on a stepped care model.
Stepped care is an evidence-based system for treating mental health, involving a hierarchy of treatments, from least to most intensive.
The stepped care treatments in this clinical trial will include an arts-based group compassion program and group-based MDMA-assisted therapy. It is hoped the findings will provide additional treatment options for those impacted by future disasters.
People can register their interest in participating in the clinical trial by emailing compassiontrial@scu.edu.au
The Albanese Government is providing these funds as part of the 2022 Clinical Trials Grant Activity, with funding commencing from March 2024.
Grants totalling $62 million were awarded to 26 recipients as part of the grant opportunity.
The Albanese Government has committed a total of $750 million for the Clinical Trials Activity Initiative over ten years.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler MP:
“Supporting the mental health of Australians is a key priority for the Albanese Government.
“In a country often ravaged by bushfires, floods and cyclones, the world-first research by Southern Cross University will look for new and innovative ways to help communities recover following natural disasters.
“We hope that this research project will help the Northern Rivers community to recover following the flood tragedy.
“Our Government is proud to support this groundbreaking research through the Medical Research Future Fund.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP:
“This project not only offers innovative evidence-based practices for trauma relief, but also means something positive can come out of our local experience. This research will add to the body of knowledge around trauma and post-traumatic growth.
“James Bennett-Levy has an international reputation for innovative mental health approaches and a commitment to the wellbeing or rural Australians, particularly the residents of the Northern Rivers Region. That’s why I was happy to throw my support behind this project.”
Quotes attributable to Lead Researcher, Professor James Bennett-Levy, of Southern Cross University:
“I thank the Minister for funding this world-first clinical trial of a stepped care model in a post-disaster context.
“In 2022, northern New South Wales, and Lismore in particular, experienced Australia’s most devastating floods. People are still suffering from disaster-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“Our research after the 2017 floods showed that mental health problems were compounded if people were self-critical and blamed themselves. We have therefore designed a stepped care program with a self-compassion focus. Step 1 will evaluate a five-session arts-based program which engages participants in creating compassion-focussed artworks. If participants still have PTSD, they may be eligible for Step 2, MDMA-assisted therapy. Prior research has shown that MDMA-assisted therapy is an effective evidence-based treatment for PTSD and enhances self-compassion.”
Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor and President, Southern Cross University Professor Tyrone Carlin:
“Under Professor Bennett-Levy’s leadership and expertise, this novel trial will broaden our knowledge about the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments for addressing serious trauma following a natural disaster.
“Lismore is the most flood-prone city in Australia. We know that many in the Northern Rivers community remain traumatised by the 2022 back-to-back flood disasters. Lismore is also the birthplace of Southern Cross University, and with our roots deeply embedded in the community it is appropriate we lead this project.
“We congratulate Professor Bennett Levy for being awarded the MRFF grant. It represents the largest block MRFF funding received by Southern Cross University to date and illustrates the excellence and impact of critical research conducted by the University in our region.”
For more 2022 floods news, click here.
Council investigating possible DA Tracker data breach
On 24 April, an upgrade to Byron Shire Council’s document management system resulted in some internal development related documents being viewable on the DA Tracker public web portal.
The DA Tracker is Council’s online portal that allows users to track the progress of development applications.
“Access to the DA Tracker was temporarily suspended as soon as we became aware of the issue, and the removal of the internal documents from the DA Tracker public web portal was completed on 29 April”. Council’s Manager Business Systems and Technology, Colin Baker said.
“We are currently investigating this incident to determine the exact nature and extent of the documents incorrectly published.” Mr Baker said.
Council takes the privacy of its customers very seriously and has engaged the NSW State Government’s Cyber incident response team to assist with the investigation. If it is determined that a data breach occurred, Council will be contacting any person directly impacted, and following other mandatory reporting requirements.
Customers concerned about this DA Tracker data breach incident can contact Colin Baker, Manager of Business Systems and Technology by calling 02 6626 7347.
For more Byron Bay news, click here.
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