The Lawler Labor Government has declared buffel grass a weed and will now move towards reducing its impact in Central Australia by formalising a weed management plan.
The recommendation to make the declaration under the Weeds Management Act 2001 was informed by the work of both the Technical Working Group, and the Buffel Grass Management Strategy 2024-2030, as developed by the Buffel Grass Weed Advisory Committee.
The Committee identified through the development of the Strategy, the diverse views and management approaches of various stakeholders across the region.
The Committee unanimously recognises within the Strategy that areas where buffel grass poses the greatest risk to biodiversity, cultural, and community values should be prioritised for management.
The Committee will now continue its work and use the Strategy to inform the development of a statutory Weed Management Plan in consultation with the community, to be completed by the end of the year.
In Budget 2024, $750,000 has been invested into the strategic management of buffel grass. This includes $575,000 for program management, planning and technical services to implement buffel grass management in Central Australia.
The funding also includes $50,000 for a Fire Ready (South) Program to reduce fire risk from buffel, $75,000 for a herbicide program in Central Australia with a focus on community groups, local councils and $50,000 mapping and data analysis.
This funding demonstrates our Government's commitment to work in this area and provides a foundation for investment to help manage buffel in Central Australia into the future.
The Buffel Grass Management Strategy: Central Australia 2024 - 2030 can be viewed here: here
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden:
"The Buffel Grass Management Strategy 2024-2030 provides a pathway forward for the Territory, and most importantly Central Australia, in reducing the impact of buffel grass, particularly in areas of cultural and community value.
"The Committee is a great example of how when we bring together a diverse range of voices and views, we can find manageable ways forward in collaboration with each other and the broader community.
"I am confident this declaration is in the best interests of the broader community - now and into the future.
"The next steps, including maintaining the Committee to inform consultation and provide advice on any future Weed Management Plan and related resourcing needs, I hope provides certainty to all stakeholders and community members that we are invested in managing buffel in a considered manner, on a long-term basis."
Northern Territory Government
