Page 19 - Tropic Magazine Issue 24

TROPIC • ENVIRONMENT

2

More plastic to go

The sale and manufacture of
single-use plastics such as
straws, plates and cutlery
3
could be banned under a
1 State Government plan,
with the backing of Cairns
Crazy infestation in the area for a “long time”. The total Regional Council. Proposed
treatment area for the infestation, with a
100m buffer, is estimated to be legislation would outlaw the
ANT COLONY 144.5 hectares. “Thanks to a local resident sale, supply and distribution of
single-use plastic from
reporting this and support from the
One of the world’s worst community, we have managed to swiftly July 1 next year. Polystyrene
invasive pests has been identify the size of this infestation and we cups and takeaway food
discovered in a huge area of the will start our treatment measures by air containers could also be
included in stage one of the
Wet Tropics. and on ground next week,” he said. proposed legislation.
“Having reduced yellow crazy ants to very A council spokesperson
Words: Gavin King low numbers across the Wet Tropics for said the move to ban these
a year or two now, we were reminded items “aligns with Council’s
Environmental officers are battling a of their severe impacts when a large endeavours to reduce single-
massive yellow crazy ant infestation and very active infestation like this is use plastics in its operations,
in Gordonvale after a keen-eyed local discovered and why we must remain ever facilities and events”.
resident spotted the invasive pest on his vigilant against one of the world’s worst More than 120 Cairns
property. The Wet Tropics Management invasive pests.” businesses have already
Authority is concerned the infestation “The Authority is grateful to the local removed plastic straws, with
extends into about 20 hectares of Wet landholder who notified us of the arrival free consultations available for
Tropics World Heritage Area. Yellow of yellow crazy ants on his property food retailers keen to transition
crazy ants are a particularly nasty pest. and to all the residents of Vico Street at away from single-use plastics.
Listed as one of the top 100 worst invasive Gordonvale who have provided access MORE: plasticfreecairns.org
species by the International Union for to their properties and shared their
Conservation of Nature and the Global experience of yellow crazy ants and their
Invasive Species Database, the ants are impacts on local wildlife with staff.”
a major threat to Australia’s biodiversity “It is by us all working together that we MORE: wettropics.gov.au
and agricultural industries. can overcome challenges and threats to
WTMA executive director Scott Buchanan our environment.” 1. Dayna Robertson surveying along Blackwell
Creek downstream of the Gillies Highway.
said the size and scale of the infestation Anybody who suspects they have found a 2. Steve Brewer inspecting the Vico Street
at Gordonvale means it has been present yellow crazy ant infestation are urged to infestation.
call WTMA on 4241 0525. 3. Yellow crazy ants in Gordonvale.
Silver lining
There’s been at least one positive outcome from the The study by a global team of researchers, including
COVID-19 pandemic: the environment. from the CSIRO, found that the world experienced the
The first definitive study of global carbon output this sharpest drop in carbon output since records began.
year found carbon dioxide emissions fell significantly “Decreases in emissions in 2020 were largest in China
since lockdowns were imposed around the world, where industry and communities first locked down,
with Australian emissions falling 28.3% during April followed by the US, Europe, and then India,” CSIRO
compared to 2019 levels. researcher and report co-author Dr. Pep Canadell said.

19 • tropicnow.com.au