Urgent support needed as Richmond and Clarence Valleys face billion-dollar fire ant threat

An outbreak of fire ants in the Northern Rivers, which the NSW Government admits could cost one billion dollars, requires immediate action from State Premier Chris Minns, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has told the NSW Parliament.

"These pests cause grievous harm to their victims - be they humans, native fauna or livestock," Mr Williamson said.

"Small businesses and family farms are going to cop it big time and they need immediate assurances that the NSW Labor Government will be on their side just as the previous Coalition Government was on our side when we went through drought, fires, COVID and floods."

Mr Williamson said that without immediate action, this could become a biosecurity and economic nightmare for communities across the Richmond and Clarence Valleys and beyond.

"We need to wipe out the infestation as quickly as possible and we need to support financially the many affected by the crisis," Mr Williamson said.

"This Sydney Labor Government has not been great for regional areas like ours so far, but this has nothing to do with party politics; it’s about lives and livelihoods and I urge the Premier to show the leadership we need in these dark times," Mr Williamson concluded.