Battling the invasion of yellow crazy ants

From the giant kelp forests of Tasmania to the fragile ecosystems of the Australian Alps, threatened species and biodiversity hotspots across Australia will benefit from an over $215 million funding boost.

More than 115 game changing projects will restore and protect entire ecosystems and homes of threatened wildlife, including from invasive species such as yellow crazy ants, weeds and feral cats.

With funding from both the $224.5 million Saving Native Species Program and $1.1 billion Natural Heritage Trust working together, the projects will take a holistic approach to restoring landscapes and reducing habitat loss.

Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek today showcased some of these threatened species conservation initiatives at an event at Parliament House.

Novel and innovative technology is being deployed to fight yellow crazy ants, which threaten red crabs and other wildlife on Christmas Island. The $3.7 million investment includes projects such as helicopter drone strikes on super colonies to reduce the impact of yellow crazy ants in priority conservation areas.

Tasmania’s giant kelp forests will be restored with a $3.5 million investment. Experts will work with First Nations people and coastal communities to rear and replant giant kelp, remove grazing sea urchins, weed out competing seaweed species, and rebuild local lobster populations so lobsters can keep sea urchin numbers in check.

Gamba grass, one of the greatest environmental threats to the Northern Territory, will be tackled in multiple projects, including $9.8 million for Kakadu and West Arnhem.

The Australian Alps across NSW, Victoria and the ACT will get a $8.2 million funding boost to control feral horses, deer and pigs, better manage weeds, and repair sphagnum bog wetlands.

These critical investments support a range of landscapes and seascapes, including the 20 priority places in the Threatened Species Action Plan.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek: 

“I am committed to protecting the precious habitat of Australia’s threatened plants, animals and ecosystems for future generations.

“As well as aiming to protect more land and sea, we need to better look after the places we are protecting. 

“The priority landscapes that are receiving funding are incredibly biodiverse, with many native animals and plants calling them home. But they need our help.

“Our investment in large-scale, multi-year projects will protect precious and fragile landscapes against invasives such as the yellow crazy ant while also warding off habitat loss.

“The Albanese Government is making a real difference with this funding lifeline, so we can protect the places we love.”