Recruiting has started for the Territory's 45-strong Gamba Army. The "army" was a election commitment of the NT Government. Those interested in joining the Gamba Army or wanting to register their business can contact Territory Natural Resource Management on 08 89 428 300. Creating up to 45 local jobs, the Gamba Army will provide targeted support in the prioritised areas of Litchfield National Park, Charles Darwin National Park and the Greater Darwin region. Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) and the NT Weeds Branch is gearing up to deploy the Gamba Army. The not-for-profit organisation has been engaged by the NT Government to run the $500,000 'Gamba Army' project to protect biodiversity and high use community and recreational areas. In 2019, the NT Government estimated Gamba affects up to 15,000 square kilometres of the NT, but has the potential to affect 380,000 square kilometres. Originally from Africa, Gamba was introduced to the Territory as highly palatable cattle fodder crop in the 1930's and was planted throughout pastoral and agricultural areas. Volunteer firefighters across the Top End have also sounded the alarm saying lives will be lost if the weed is not beaten back. Katherine is one of the hot spots for the weed in the NT. The NT Government currently provides free chemicals in some areas for landowners to spray Gamba. TNRM is also seeking interest from weed spray operators to be part of a panel of preferred contractors who will supplement the activities of the Gamba Army, adding to the number of jobs and local businesses to benefit from the initiative. Charles Darwin University will be the Gamba Army's intelligence unit and has already started gathering information about areas that the Gamba Army will attack through a $100,000 Mapping, Planning and Tracing Project. Spraying at Charles Darwin National Park and the Casuarina Coastal Reserve will commence before Christmas, with other parts of the Top End to then follow. The NT Government already invests up to $6 million a year on weeds management, including Gamba grass. The government has 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 response to fires. Environment Minister Eva Lawler said: "The Government knows that smart environment policy is smart economic policy - and that more action is needed to mitigate and eradicate Gamba grass, and that is what we are doing through a coordinated and targeted approach. "Recruitment is now beginning for the Gamba Army, with boots ready to hit the ground this Wet season, and into 2021. "Our Gamba Army will provide targeted support in areas of significance and provide up to 45 local jobs for Territorians to assist with stimulating the economy." Gamba Army manager, Territory Natural Resources Management, Rowena Eastick said: "Early wet season rainfall has kick-started the Gamba grass growth, so some areas will be ready for the Gamba Army to roll into action in the upcoming months. The Gamba Army will supplement existing land manager control efforts by providing an additional workforce in priority areas over the 2020-2021 season." While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
Gamba grass has quickly become the worst weed in the NT.
Recruiting has started for the Territory's 45-strong Gamba Army.
The "army" was a election commitment of the NT Government.
Those interested in joining the Gamba Army or wanting to register their business can contact Territory Natural Resource Management on 08 89 428 300.
Creating up to 45 local jobs, the Gamba Army will provide targeted support in the prioritised areas of Litchfield National Park, Charles Darwin National Park and the Greater Darwin region.
Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) and the NT Weeds Branch is gearing up to deploy the Gamba Army.
The not-for-profit organisation has been engaged by the NT Government to run the $500,000 'Gamba Army' project to protect biodiversity and high use community and recreational areas.
In 2019, the NT Government estimated Gamba affects up to 15,000 square kilometres of the NT, but has the potential to affect 380,000 square kilometres.
Originally from Africa, Gamba was introduced to the Territory as highly palatable cattle fodder crop in the 1930's and was planted throughout pastoral and agricultural areas.
Volunteer firefighters across the Top End have also sounded the alarm saying lives will be lost if the weed is not beaten back.
The NT Government currently provides free chemicals in some areas for landowners to spray Gamba.
TNRM is also seeking interest from weed spray operators to be part of a panel of preferred contractors who will supplement the activities of the Gamba Army, adding to the number of jobs and local businesses to benefit from the initiative.
Charles Darwin University will be the Gamba Army's intelligence unit and has already started gathering information about areas that the Gamba Army will attack through a $100,000 Mapping, Planning and Tracing Project.
Spraying at Charles Darwin National Park and the Casuarina Coastal Reserve will commence before Christmas, with other parts of the Top End to then follow.
The NT Government already invests up to $6 million a year on weeds management, including Gamba grass.
The government has 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 response to fires.
Environment Minister Eva Lawler said: "The Government knows that smart environment policy is smart economic policy - and that more action is needed to mitigate and eradicate Gamba grass, and that is what we are doing through a coordinated and targeted approach.
"Recruitment is now beginning for the Gamba Army, with boots ready to hit the ground this Wet season, and into 2021.
"Our Gamba Army will provide targeted support in areas of significance and provide up to 45 local jobs for Territorians to assist with stimulating the economy."
Gamba Army manager, Territory Natural Resources Management, Rowena Eastick said: "Early wet season rainfall has kick-started the Gamba grass growth, so some areas will be ready for the Gamba Army to roll into action in the upcoming months. The Gamba Army will supplement existing land manager control efforts by providing an additional workforce in priority areas over the 2020-2021 season."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
