Plan to stop Gamba Grass in its tracks

All land users, whether local residents or visitors, can play a vital and effective role in helping stop one of the Territory’s most invasive weed, gamba grass, from spreading across West Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park. 
Gamba grass, which was introduced from Africa in the 1930s as a pasture species, is now a declared weed under the NT Weeds Management Act 2001 in two zones, Zone A – which is lightly infested and targeted for complete eradication, and Zone B - where growth and spread is controlled. 
“We’re working in the eradication zone with ranger groups, contractors and all kinds of people to stop the spread through that region because we know what it’s like around Darwin and the fire and biodiversity issues it creates,” Territory Natural Resource Management CEO Karen May says. 
“We’re fortunate that in the West Arnhem Land region, unlike in other heavily infested Top End areas, gamba grass is still only scattered and isolated and actually eradicable. That’s why there’s a concerted effort in place to locate and destroy all plants to stop them from spreading further. And we encourage everyone to play their part.” 
Gamba grass grows taller and more densely than native grasses and its fuel loads cause uncontrollable, intense fires that destroy vegetation, large trees, native animal habitat and decrease local biodiversity. In one season, a single plant can produce 250,000 seeds which are easily spread by wind, vehicles, machinery, animals and people. 
Karen says gamba grass is actively growing at this time of the year, and rangers, contractors and land management organisations are now out surveying for, and treating, infestations before the plants flower in April and start dropping their seeds in May.
 “And that’s where individuals in this area can help. We want to get the message out that everyone can play a role in controlling this invasive plant pest.” 
Territory Natural Resource Management urges all Arnhem Land residents and visitors to: 
• Wash down and clean vehicles and equipment before travelling through or visiting the Gamba Eradication Zone 
• Clean vehicles thoroughly before leaving an infested area 
• Remove all mud – because it may contact gamba grass seeds. 
TNRM also asks residents and visitors to the Gamba Eradication Zone to report infestations – by taking a photo, recording its location (by turning on your mobile phone’s ‘show location’ information in your gallery settings) and emailing: info@territorynrm.org.au or texting the agency on 0438 756 481. 
For further information on Gamba grass, what it looks like and a map of the eradication zones, please head to: https://www.territorynrm.org.au/gambagrass