The dangers of a late, dry Cracker Night and Gamba
The talk right across the Territory has been all about the change of Cracker Night to the end of August – and with good cause.
Territorians know how dangerous fires can be late in the Dry. Hot, dry, windy conditions, on top of high fuel loads from weeds like Gamba Grass are a recipe for even more dangerous bushfires.
This week, we’ve been inspired to see so many people stand up and raise their concerns about this. We’ve seen firefighters, landholders, fire experts, rural and town communities – all taking action and demanding more from the NT Government.
My own neighbour Zoe was on ABC radio, talking about the devastating fire in our area in August last year. She wasn’t just speaking for herself, but for every Territorian who wants to keep their communities safe from devastating fires. We wear the scars, we fight the fires and we want decision-makers in Darwin to listen now more than ever.
We know that to address the issue of more intense fires, we need the NT Government to do more to get rid of Gamba, starting by funding the Gamba Army to continue its work.
Please take a moment to write to the Ministers responsible for funding the Gamba Army and let them know that you want to see action.
Whatever happens with Cracker Night, we know that our community is strong, united and looks after one another. Together, we all pushed the four political parties to agree to more Gamba action during last year’s election. We strengthened the ten year Gamba Plan. We secured the first round of funding for the Gamba Army and other key commitments. We did all of this by standing strong as a community.
When one person made their voice heard, you galvanized more people to do the same. The power we hold in our communities to look after one another and call for change has never been clearer.
Now we need the NT Government to listen to the experts and the communities on the frontline. That starts with more resources for the Gamba Army – to reduce the high fuel loads that we face every year, even more so if we end up with a late August Cracker Night.
Can you take a few minutes to ask the NT Government to properly fund the Gamba Army?
Thanks for everything you do. Stay safe.
