A cluster of fire ant nests has been discovered at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane after a local resident spotted the nests earlier in May and alerted Brisbane’s local officials and the National Fire Ant Eradication Program.
Read: Homeless Tents Cleared from Musgrave Park in West End
The nests were located in the corner of the park nearest to Musgrave Pool and Edmondstone Street, close to a large green shed. Nearby residents shared additional nest location information with Cr Trina Massey, who raised the matter directly with officials through the Committee for Sustainability, Greenspace and Environment.
Treatment and community response
Cr Massey confirmed two rounds of treatment were carried out at the park. Cr Massey encouraged residents to continue monitoring the park, noting that recent rainfall can make nests harder to identify.
Some residents expressed concern that Brisbane mowers had passed over the nests prior to treatment, potentially pushing the ants underground and out of sight. Residents also understood that hormones, rather than contact-kill treatments, had been used on the nests. This method does not kill ants immediately but works to reduce a colony’s ability to repopulate over time.
Residents can report sightings to BCC on 3403 8888, the National Fire Ant Hotline on 13 22 68, or to Cr Massey’s office on 3403 2165.
About fire ants
Fire ants were first detected in Australia in 2001 at the northern port of Brisbane. Since then, they have spread across Queensland, into parts of northern New South Wales, and into the Murray-Darling Basin, according to the Invasive Species Council.
Their stings can be fatal to people and livestock in severe cases. They also pose a threat to native ecosystems and can spread through cargo containers, potted plants, soil and mulch.
The Mount Gravatt Showgrounds recently experienced temporary closures across the grounds and car park after fire ants were found there.
Festival preparations continue
Set-up for the Paniyiri Greek Festival, which this year marks its 50th anniversary, is set to take place at Musgrave Park, with the event running 23 to 24 May. Around 50,000 visitors are expected to attend.
Read: West End Transforms for Paniyiri, Queensland’s Largest Greek Festival
Co-chairman of the Paniyiri volunteer organising committee Kos Kastrissios said in a media interview that the committee was monitoring the situation and would follow direction from Brisbane local officials and Queensland’s Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce if any changes to the festival’s layout were needed.
Published 19-May-2026
