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Action on Gamba Grass a major issue for residents in Daly by-election

Homepage Media releases Action on Gamba Grass a major issue for residents in Daly by-election
Media releases

Action on Gamba Grass a major issue for residents in Daly by-election

September 8, 2021
By Jasmine Burke
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More than half of all Gamba records occur within Daly electorate

Residents in the Daly electorate are asking candidates in the upcoming by-election to support more gamba action if elected. The spread of Gamba grass across the Territory is fuelling dangerous bushfires, threatening homes and natural environments – particularly within the Daly electorate.

New analysis from the Centre for Conservation Geography has shown that 58% of recorded Gamba grass infestations have occurred within the Daly electorate – the highest level across the Northern Territory.

Darwin River resident, Andrew Spiers, has witnessed homes and properties burning during gamba fires in the Darwin River area. 

“Sadly, gamba fires have now become an annual dry season event. Many residents feel overwhelmed by the amount of gamba they have, and the effort required to eradicate it. We need more assistance from the Northern Territory Government if we are to beat gamba and stay safe,” said Mr Spiers.

Adelaide River local, Sandy May, has gamba infested properties near her home, where her family raise cattle. 

“We know how destructive gamba fires are, so we try to keep our property relatively gamba-free, but gamba fires from nearby properties burn into our place, destroying our pastures and forcing us to buy expensive feed for our cattle. Greater compliance and enforcement of existing gamba laws is required to protect those properties who do the right thing,” said Ms May.

Labasheeda Park Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Deputy Captain, Therese Balanzategui, has spent years fighting gamba fires across the Daly electorate, in places like Darwin River, Berry Springs and Batchelor. 

“Locals are facing heightened fire conditions made worse by gamba. The Gamba Army is just a start – residents across Daly need increased gamba mitigation efforts on public lands and help to reduce fire risks facing communities. It’s important that whoever is elected on Saturday is a strong voice for increased gamba action in the Northern Territory,” said Ms Balanzategui.

Gamba Grass Roots is a campaign to raise awareness of the threat posed by gamba grass to our homes and communities, our tourism sector and our unique Top End landscape and wildlife.

Gamba grass records by NT electorate:

ElectorateCount of records% of total
Daly                                      29,04158%
Goyder                                        13,04426%
Katherine                                          6,47313%
Arnhem                                            7341%
Barkly                                            5371%
Gwoja                                            1740%
Arafura                                                420%
Namatjira                                                  20%
Total                                        50,047
Source: Centre for Conservation Geography, September 2021. Compiled from Northern Territory weeds dataset, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security, Northern Territory Government, 2018

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    SearchPostsLogin
    Monday, 3, Oct
    Early release of federal Gamba funding welcomed by community alliance
    Tuesday, 17, May
    Tackling gamba grass a major election issue in the Territory
    Wednesday, 2, Mar
    Top End community campaign wins national Froggatt Award for fight against grass
    Thursday, 27, Jan
    Federal funding towards Gamba control could help reduce fire risks and prevent dangerous weed spreading throughout Northern Australia
    Friday, 3, Dec
    Tourism operators call on NT Government to act to protect Litchfield Park from gamba grass
    Tuesday, 21, Feb
    New report reveals more than 20% of Litchfield National Park remains heavily infested with Gamba Grass
    Monday, 24, Oct
    How the Territory’s fight against Gamba is tracking
    Friday, 7, Oct
    Gamba Army funding announcement welcomed by Gamba Grass Roots
    Wednesday, 18, May
    See where the parties stand on Gamba action this election

    Welcome back,