The Territory Labor Government has stepped up its fight against Gamba Grass with recruitment for the Gamba Army beginning.

The Territory's natural environment is one of our greatest assets, and we understand that a strong economy relies on a healthy environment.

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.

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 Territory Labor 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. 

Those interested in joining the Gamba Army or wanting to register their business can contact Territory Natural Resource Management on 08 89 428 300.

Quotes from the Minister for Environment, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory Labor 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.”

Quotes from Gamba Army Manager, Territory Natural Resources Management, Rowena Eastick:

“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.

“Timing is crucial to the success of spray activity and we will target specific area areas within Charles Darwin National Park and the Casuarina Coastal Reserve before Christmas in order to maximise the effectiveness of the operation.

“The work to be undertaken by the Gamba Army is incredibly important and will help in protecting properties, livelihoods and biodiversity.”

Media contact: Jasmine Roussos 0439 003 248