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New report reveals more than 20% of Litchfield National Park remains heavily infested with Gamba Grass

Homepage Media releases New report reveals more than 20% of Litchfield National Park remains heavily infested with Gamba Grass
Media releases, News

New report reveals more than 20% of Litchfield National Park remains heavily infested with Gamba Grass

February 21, 2023
By Jasmine Burke
28 Comments
1478 Views

Tourism operators call for increased government funding to protect local jobs

21 February 2023

Tourism operators in the Top End are demanding the NT Government commit more funding to protect Litchfield Park from the spread of Gamba Grass, following the release of a new report published in the Journal of Environmental Management.

The tourist operators and nature-based business owners are increasingly concerned about gamba grass, citing fire damage and a rapidly-changing landscape as serious threats to their businesses and tourist safety.

“Litchfield is one of the Territory’s greatest treasures and our most visited park. Thousands of people come through here every day to witness the amazing natural sights and experiences – all of which is threatened by the spread of Gamba into the park itself,” Chair of Litchfield Regional Tourism Association, Paul McLaughlin said.

“Whilst it’s been great to see the efforts applied so far, what’s clear is that more must be done to eliminate Gamba from the park before our tourism industry is damaged beyond repair.”

The paper, The cost of not acting: Delaying invasive grass management increases costs and threatens assets in a national park, northern Australia, calls for a significant increase in the eradication zone within the park, a relatively small zone where net infestation has increased by more than 300% between 2014 – 2022.

Research predicts that without increased weed control the biodiversity and tourism assets of the park will be destroyed.

“The ongoing loss of the natural environment and native flora and fauna in gamba-infested areas is having an enormous financial impact on the Northern Territory. If we don’t combat Gamba now and work to reduce dry season fires, I fear we won’t have an environment in Litchfield Park left for tourists to visit and enjoy,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“Ultimately, the success of protecting the park will depend on the NT Government’s ability to drive long-term reductions in the extent of the Gamba infestation,” Gamba Grass Roots Campaigner Pauline Cass said.

“Researchers have established a clear baseline of what’s needed, but we know that significantly increased resources and action will be needed to get Gamba under control – that work needs to start now.”

Gamba Grass Roots is an alliance of The Pew Charitable Trusts and Environment Centre Northern Territory, working to highlight the threat of gamba grass to the Top End community, nature and landscape.


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

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    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

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