Brisbane City Council has announced aerial mosquito treatment by helicopter kicks off today (Friday 20 September) and will continue across the weekend.
It will cover areas including Tinchi Tamba Wetlands, Bald Hills, Brighton, Boondall Wetlands, Port of Brisbane, Pinkenba, Tingalpa, Hemmant and along Bulimba and Tingalpa Creeks as well as St Helena Island and Green Island, weather permitting.
Mosquito spraying will continue across the summer to try to keep the pesky insects at bay.
Last mosquito season saw an increase in Ross River virus cases, so keeping mozzies under control is crucial. The virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause fatigue, joint pain, and rashes.
The Brisbane City Council Opposition has been calling for increased mosquito spraying across the suburbs, claiming a $1million underspend of the mosquito spraying budget since 2022.
Last summer, there was just 21 mozzie spraying staff to tackle 2500 potential freshwater breeding sites across the city.
Leader of Opposition in Council, Cr Jared Cassidy said Brisbane residents were eaten alive by mozzies at the hands of the Lord Mayor last summer.
“It’s one of the biggest issues my office gets contacted about and is a serious health and safety concern.”
“Council’s underspend on mozzie spraying has been happening for years, but what’s worse is last year Queensland Health have sent out warnings about mosquito-borne diseases and there was still not enough being done. Brisbane residents deserve better,” Cr Cassidy said.
The City of Moreton Bay has also kicked off their mosquito spraying program for the summer, targeting Burpengary East, Beachmere, Bribie, Redcliffe, Mango Hill, Deception Bay and surrounds over the last two days.
You can protect yourself from mosquitoes by:
- limiting your time outdoors around dawn and dusk
- applying mosquito repellents regularly
- wearing loose fitting, light coloured protective clothing when outdoors
- screening doors and windows or using mosquito nets or air-conditioning
- using mosquito coils and lanterns.
