The Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment has approved the first ever draft Buffel Grass Weed Management Plan for public consultation, and extended the consultation period by an additional 4 weeks to give Territorians ample opportunity to have their say.
The public consultation period is now open via the Have Your Say here website and runs until 12 February 2026.
Developed by the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment in collaboration with the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee here, the draft plan outlines the objectives and legal requirements for managing buffel grass in accordance with the Weeds Management Act 2001.
Buffel grass program manager, Amber Clarke, said the draft plan establishes obligations for landholders, managers and occupiers to effectively address this invasive species.
"It seeks to balance competing interests by prioritising the protection of critical natural and cultural assets and minimising the spread of buffel grass, while supporting ongoing pastoral activities," Ms Clarke said.
A significant level of stakeholder engagement has been undertaken by the Department during the development of the draft Weed Management Plan, including meetings of the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee.
"The Department has also consulted with and presented at key landholder and land manager events, and a previous Have Your Say survey held earlier this year received more than 300 individual submissions," Ms Clarke said.
Territorians can now access the draft plan and provide feedback through the Have Your Say survey.
All comments will be reviewed by the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment and the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee, then presented to the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment for consideration before the plan is finalised.
