The free herbicide will be available from the Weed Management Branch Depot on Crawford Street from 8am to noon on Saturday.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) have been conducting the Katherine Neem Blitz Program over the last month.

DENR regional manager, Tahnee Thompson, said neem is a highly invasive exotic species, and this year’s campaign has been very successful so far.

“Control of neem on private properties will complement the ongoing efforts by Katherine Town Council and Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics to control neem on land it manages,” Ms Thompson said.

“I would like to thank all those people who have taken part in the program.

“More than 160 people have collected the free herbicide. That is a great effort and will make a big difference to the management of neem in our town.

“Free herbicide will help Katherine landholders target this pesky weed as part of a coordinated approach to conserving the biodiversity, recreational and aesthetic values of the town.

“Herbicide is a highly effective way to control neem on private land.”

Neem was declared a weed in 2014 to control its spread (Class B) and prevent its introduction into the Northern Territory (Class C).

As part of a review of the program, DENR staff will be visiting some land holders who received the herbicide during February and March 2018 to see how they are progressing with their neem control.

Go to www.nt.gov.au/neem for more information about neem.