Media release: It’s time to fund the Gamba Army
Gamba Grass Roots has launched a new effort to secure funding for the Gamba Army, after this year’s NT Budget didn’t contain funding for the Army to continue.
Gamba Grass Roots is a community alliance between Pew Charitable Trusts and the Environment Centre NT.
Mitch Hart, NT Manager, Pew Charitable Trusts:
“We’ve heard from so many Territorians that the Gamba Army is working and the community wants it to continue.”
“People out of work got to train and gain new valuable skills. Contractors have been able to hire trained employees. Landholders, land managers and community groups really appreciated the help tackling Gamba on their land. We also saw this effort encouraging more action over the fence.”
“The NT Government still hasn’t announced funding for the Gamba Army to ramp up efforts next control season. Territorians know that you can’t just spray once and sit back and relax. Anyone who lives here can see that the Gamba problem has exploded this year in the places where the Gamba Army and landholders weren’t able to get to during a big wet season.”
“That’s why we’ve launched a petition to get the NT Government to give the Gamba Army the funding it needs to grow, not vanish.”
“The Gamba Army is a popular program and we hope it gets the funding it needs to continue this year and beyond.”
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on ABC Darwin on September 10, 2020: “We want that Gamba Army to grow. I think 45 [jobs] is a good start, but you don’t stop there. You get it going, make sure it’s working and then build on it.”
However, no funding was earmarked for the Gamba Army in the 2021-22 Territory budget, leaving the future of the Gamba Army in doubt.
Gamba Grass Roots has launched an online petition for Territorians to write to Chief Minister Michael Gunner and Ministers Eva Lawler and Selena Uibo to ask them to fund the Gamba Army. Gamba Grass Roots are attending markets in Freds Pass, Batchelor, Berry Springs and Humpty Doo to gather signatures and support.
Contact: Mitch Hart 0478 620 740
