Australian households could be hit with a $581 million annual pesticide bill if fire ant eradication efforts fail, a new report by the Australia Institute has revealed. In this episode Rod Campbell from the institute joins the show to explain a potential nationwide cost burden of more than $1 billion.Published: 31 March 2025.Theme music: AudioJungle - Mark_Music and Matt SteinerImage: Australia Institute research director Rod Campbell (supplied)Australia Institute: https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/red-imported-fire-ants-and-australian-electorates/Key fire ant report: https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/red-imported-fire-ants-the-benefits-of-avoiding-a-national-disaster/Queensland electorates report: https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/impact-of-fire-ants-in-queensland-electorates/Ipswich City Council meeting agendas and minutes: bit.ly/2JlrVKYCouncil meetings on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/IpswichCityCouncilTVIpswich Planning Scheme: https://bit.ly/3g4Jwb7Local Ipswich News: https://localipswichnews.com.au/Inside Ipswich: https://ipswichtoday.com.au/inside-ipswich/Ipswich City Council: www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/Shape Your Ipswich: www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/Ipswich Civic Centre: www.ipswichciviccentre.com.au/Ipswich Festivals: https://www.ipswichfestivals.com.au/Ipswich Art Gallery: www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/Ipswich Community Gallery: https://ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/community/ipswich-community-galleryBlack Swan Art (David Pearce): https://www.blackswanart.com.au/Discover Ipswich: www.discoveripswich.com.au/Discover Ipswich what's on: https://whatson.discoveripswich.com.au/Workshops Rail Museum: https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/rail-workshopsIpswich Libraries: www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/Studio 188: www.studio188.com.au/Nicholas Street Precinct: www.nicholasst.com.au/Picture Ipswich: www.pictureipswich.com.au/Lost Ipswich Facebook: https://bit.ly/3pLLBwNc  Stream audio recommended. If auto download enabled some apps require a re-download or refresh RSS content to hear most recent version should there be an episode updateIpswich Today is supported by listeners like you. Help keep it online with a small one-off or regular donation. Visit https://ipswichtoday.com.au/Advertise on Ipswich Today https://ipswichtoday.com.au/advertising/Ipswich Today recommended listening: Twenty Thousand Hertz - stories behind the world's most recognisable and interesting sounds https://www.20k.org/