The Territory Government is continuing its fight against gamba grass by today launching the 2020-2021 Gamba Action Program.
The Gamba Action Program is one part of the Territory Labor Government’s Gamba Policy election commitment to managing this noxious weed.
Along with the creation of the 45 person strong Gamba Army, this program will further support jobs and the environment.
Gamba grass is a highly invasive weed that creates high fuel loads and burns easily - putting lives, property and the environment at risk. That is why together, we need to do everything we can to control it.
The $100,000 program supports more than 2000 landholders gain access to free equipment hire and herbicide to spray this invasive weed.
Up to 10 litres of free herbicide is available for landholders to control gamba grass – and 20 litres is available if you own multiple properties.
The Gamba Action Program is one of eight programs within the Gamba Management Framework, which provides a solid approach to gamba management, fire mitigation, fuel load reduction and infestation control.
The Weed Management Branch, who look after the program, works closely with Bushfires NT and the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service to minimise the threat of Dry Season bushfires caused by excessive gamba grass ‘fuel loads’.
The Territory Labor Government takes the tackling of gamba grass seriously, investing approximately $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, along with the creation of the Gamba Army.
To book in your herbicide or loan equipment, or to find out more about the Gamba Action Program visit: https://nt.gov.au/environment/weeds
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.
“If we are to effectively manage and stop the spread of gamba, we must all take our responsibility seriously. The Territory Government is assisting Top End landholders to do their part by providing free herbicide.
“This year’s program will continue the positive progress made last year that resulted in over 2000 participants obtaining free herbicide.”