The NT Government will create a 'Gamba Army' as part of an increased investment to combat the spread of Gamba grass in the Top End.
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The action was highlighted earlier this year in its COVID-19 Operation Rebound Paper.
A Gamba Army will create around 45 jobs for Territorians and will provide targeted support in the prioritised areas of Litchfield National Park, Charles Darwin National Park and the Greater Darwin region.
The Gamba Army is one part of the Government's Gamba Policy to continue managing this noxious weed.
More reading: Call for urgent investment in Gamba control.
The CLP earlier outlined plans for to eradicate Gamba grass across the Territory.
Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said a Country Liberal Government would implement a three point plan to tackle Gamba grass.
"We have an ambitious but focused target to eliminate Gamba grass from all Crown land across the Territory, including land owned by local government," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
A CLP Government would:
- Empower and resource the Weeds Branch in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to develop and oversee a comprehensive crown land eradication plan.
- Work with private landholders to ensure they are trained in identifying, removing and monitoring Gamba grass and are supported with equipment and herbicide.
- Form a Gamba Management Network consisting of local government, Aboriginal rangers, environmental organisations and other community groups.
The NT Government's approach would include:
- Gamba Army - an investment of $500,000 for a dedicated workforce and coordinated approach between Government, Councils, Aboriginal Rangers, and community groups.
- Gamba Action Taskforce - an enhanced and coordinated response to reducing Gamba infestations, including management across all relevant Northern Territory Government agencies, local government and landholders.
- Mapping, Planning and Tracing - an action science-based independent study to map Gamba in the Greater Darwin region that will guide planning, prioritisation and deployment of weed management activities to reduce and eradicate Gamba in core infestation areas. We will also publish Government's weeds management plans online, creating greater transparency and certainty.
- Gamba Action Program - $100,000 of ongoing funding to support landholders to combat Gamba grass through access to free herbicide and equipment loans.
- Gamba Fire Mitigation Unit - an additional investment of $225,000 per year focussed on mitigating risks.
- Fire Mitigation Assistance Vouchers - $50,000 new fire mitigation vouchers scheme that will assist rural landholders to address land management matters relating to firebreaks and Gamba grass fuel loads on their property. Vouchers of up to $500 with a dollar-for-dollar contribution will be available to use with local Territory businesses.
The government already invests up to $6 million a year on weeds management, including Gamba grass.
"We have established a dedicated Crown land Weeds Officer, boosted funding to Bushfires NT to support volunteer brigades, and constructed a new state of the art facility for Bushfires NT to improve our response to fires," a government spokeswoman said.
This week also marks the release of the Territory Government's draft Gamba Grass Management Plan.
The Plan outlines the requirements to control Gamba grass and establishes goals, objectives and minimum management requirements to reduce the risk and damage caused by Gamba grass - to view the plan and have your say visit haveyoursay.nt.gov.au.
Environment and Natural Resources Minister Eva Lawler said: "We know that more action is needed to mitigate and eradicate Gamba grass, and that is what we are doing through a coordinated and targeted approach.
"Our Gamba Army will provide targeted support in areas of significance and provide around 45 local jobs for Territorians to assist with stimulating the economy."
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
