Gamba action is at a crossroads.

Since 2020, the Territory Labor government has invested in the Gamba Army, strengthening efforts to tackle dangerous Gamba infestations in the Top End. And it has worked!

Gamba has been cleared from public lands stretching from Darwin to Litchfield National Park and areas in between. More Territorians were employed, businesses received access to training and community groups partnered with government workers to clear Gamba.

But the job is far from done. With another big Wet forecast, Gamba will spread to more places. Gamba-fuelled fires have already destroyed homes and damaged farms in rural areas and worse may be yet to come, with late Dry season fires.

The Gamba Army has been doing a terrific job and the NT Government has said it will continue to combat this invasive weed. But Territorians still don’t have clarity from the Fyles Government on the future of Gamba action.

Territorians desperately need certainty that effective gamba action will continue. We can achieve that together. We’ve won support for the Gamba Army in the past, and with enough people, we can do it again.

The Gamba fight needs to be properly funded until the job is done. We’ve won a $9.8-million commitment from the federal government and now it’s crucial that the NT Government plays its part and helps set up the Territory for success in this fight.

Join the call for the Fyles Government to reaffirm its commitment to the Gamba action that’s needed, so we can tackle this crisis once and for all.

We’ll send your message to:

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles
Minister for the Environment Lauren Moss
Minister for Parks and Rangers Nicole Manison

CC:

Federal Minister for the Environment – Tanya Plibersek
Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling
Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour

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With historic funding from the Albanese Government to scale up efforts to get rid of Gamba, Territorians believe there’s a golden opportunity to finally get on top of this gamba crisis. But it requires the Fyles Government to grasp this moment to build upon its existing efforts to make its eradication and control programs work. In 2020, the NT Government invested $500,000 in a Gamba Army to supercharge efforts to tackle dangerous Gamba infestations in the Top End. Then, thanks to the community’s calls to keep the Gamba Army, a further $500,000 was invested by the Gunner Government in the Gamba Army in August 2021. But Territorians know the job isn’t done. With more momentum than ever, we’re calling on your government to play its part by immediately funding the future of the Gamba Army for this upcoming season. By providing funding certainty now, we can ensure that a season isn’t lost at a time of unprecedented momentum for Gamba action; that the gains of the past few years of spraying don’t go to waste; and we can allow time for planning, hiring workers and getting equipment ready to hit the ground running in time for the control reason. We need urgent, long-term action now to protect our homes, our properties, and the precious natural places that support our Territory way of life, before it’s too late. Now is the time to commit to further funding for Gamba management in the coming year, including adequate funding for the Gamba Army that prioritises local needs in the fight against Gamba. This includes locking in wins from previous years and reducing fire risks. I ask that your government: 1. Provide at least $500,000 in funding for the Gamba Army to continue its work for the upcoming 2022/23 season 2. Prioritise decisions to allow for effective planning by land managers and delivery organisations to roll out an effective program in time for the control season - i.e. hiring staff, training, acquiring necessary supplies 3. Provide extra funding for the Gamba Action Program to ensure that Territorians can get access to enough spray to deal with Gamba on their block as rising costs are preventing some landholders from taking measures to keep their homes safe from Gamba-fuelled fires. We recognise that this challenge needs to be tackled by all levels of government. Right now we have unprecedented collaboration potential for Gamba action. That’s why we are also calling on the Albanese government to: 1. Bring forward funding ahead of the October budget to allow eradication efforts to be undertaken this season by Territory NRM through a scaled-up Gamba Army. This would allow early procurement of materials (chemicals, spray equipment, vehicles) for the longer program and recruitment of staff. 2. Provide clear details on focus and priorities such as emergency management, biodiversity and geographic targets of federal government Gamba Army support as delivered by the Threatened Species Commission. The Northern Territory Government has set up a successful program and now it’s time to build upon these efforts. Funding certainty from all levels of government will support jobs, show ongoing commitment and complement other key Gamba response programs. By acting now you can help keep Territorians safe from Gamba-fuelled fires for the years to come and protect the landscapes that make the Top End so special. Sincerely,
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Fund Gamba reduction before the Wet season

Gamba action is at a crossroads.

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