The Territory Government is continuing its fight against gamba grass with the Gamba Action Program 2023-24 now open.
The Gamba Action Program is one part of the Territory Labor Government's Gamba Policy election commitment to managing this noxious weed, and provide support to rural land owners.
This is the 13th year the Gamba Action Program (GAP) has been providing assistance to rural landowners in the Darwin and Katherine regions to control and eradicate gamba grass on their property.
The $100,000 program supports more than 2200 landholders each year through the loan of equipment and free herbicide to spray this invasive weed.
Since the GAP opened, more than 400 landholders have collected their herbicide.
The Territory Labor Government has provided $6.5 million into weed management each year for a number of measures, including $300,000 over two years for the Gamba Army to continue momentum in reducing the impacts of Gamba Grass.
Over the past five years, $2.1 million has been invested into the Gamba Army with visible results at the targeted areas.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden:
"Gamba Grass is a highly flammable weed which produces high fire loads. Our work to contain and manage this highly invasive weed is incredibly important for the residents of the rural area of Darwin and Katherine.
"For some landholders it is difficult to keep on top of this weed, and that's why we are lending a hand to help our rural land holders.
"The Territory Labor Government will continue to invest in weed control management to protect our natural environment."
Quotes attributable to Director of Weed Management Branch, Nigel Weston:
"The Weed Management Branch, who look after GAP, works closely with Bushfires NT and the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service to minimise the threat of bushfires caused by excessive gamba grass 'fuel loads'.
"There is now a legal requirement within the 2020-2030 statutory Weed Management Plan for all blocks smaller than 3 Ha to have all gamba plants under control."
